Premiership Division 2 22nd September 2022
Scorers: McCullough(1*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), Jeffers(1*Try), Brown(1*Try)
Rainey Old Boys made it 4 from 4 under the lights at Uprichard Park last Thursday, when then finally overcame a spirited Bangor outfit in the final quarter. The 13-20 bonus-point win leaves them within touching distance of winning Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 2 when the league concludes in the run-up to Christmas. With Instonians beating Dungannon on Saturday, and Rainey beating Instonians a few weeks ago, Rainey need only a single point from the December encounter with their Tyrone-based neighbours to win promotion back to the top flight.
A fired-up Bangor side were first onto the scoresheet, slotting over a penalty in the 5th minute. Rainey opted to make use of their heavy pack in attack, but the Seasiders did well to hold them out, their defence well-coached by ex-Ulster supremo Brian McLaughlin. It took until the 15th minute before Rainey finally put points on the board, flanker McCullough going over out wide following a strong maul.
Bangor came back strongly, and it was no surprise when they added to their tally. Having gone through multiple phases attacking the Rainey line, the No10, offered an inch-perfect pop-pass for the right winger to come bursting through on a superb line and eviscerate the Rainey defence. The extras were duly added. A further converted penalty only added top Rainey’s woes and they ended the half 13-5 points adrift
A few changes in personnel at half-time and Rainey started to gain the upper-hand as the home side began to tire from their efforts containing the visitors. In the 58th minute, another unstoppable maul from the Rainey forwards allowed replacement hook O’Neill to score Rainey’s second to narrow the gap to 3 points.
Still trailing with 10 mins to go, it was a little moment of magic which gave Rainey the lead. Out-half McLean provided a deft little pop-up pass to Winger Jeffers on the loop, and he had space to score in the opposite corner.
The visitors then sealed the bonus point in the dying minutes when Centre brown scored, after a driving maul had taken them 20m downfield.
With the league now suspended until Christmas, Rainey commence their AIL 2B campaign with a trip to Corinthian Park in Galway to face Galway Corinthians RFC on 1st October.