Energia AIL 2A 30th November 2019
Scorers: O'Neill(1*Try), Magrath(1*Pen, 1*Conv), (1*Pen Try)
The much anticipated clash between Queen's University and Rainey Old Boys could not nave had a more sensational ending. When a 50 yard penalty deep in time added by Queen's out-half Richie McMaster drifted just past the post, a share of the spoils looked like perhaps the right result. But, when Rainey opted for a short drop out from the 22', it did not go quite as planned and a turnover handed the students an unexpected chance to set up a ruck from which McMaster popped over a drop goal to give his side a 20-17 victory. The final whistle sounded as soon as a score was awarded, sending the Queen's contingent into raptures and the losers into despair.
The prospect of an entertaining contest attracted a good crowd to Queen's magnificent complex at The Dub where both the overhead and underfoot conditions were perfect for the fifteen man rugby which favour the style of rugby that these sides like to play. A close run affair was to follow, with the lead changing several times. This result keeps Queen's in touch of the leaders while Barnhall remain the team to beat.
Rainey were first to show, with out-half Magrath giving them a third minute lead from close range. Queen's, moving the ball wide at every opportunity as expected, looked threatening, and after 11 minutes, struck with an unconverted try by left-wing Hunter when Fijian El Fav came across to join in an impressive display of interpassing.
Queen's stayed in command until Bloomfield put Rainey down into the opposition 22' with a timely kick. The forwards took it on from a lineout, but a turnover allowed Queen's to clear. Donaghy fielded the kick and fed O'Neill who kicked to the far wing to keep the pressure on. With Rainey now beginning to gain the upper hand in the scrum, the students pack were clearly wilting and the Old Boys were soon back in front from a penalty try.
A searing break by Bloomfield saw him create a clear chance with support arriving on his right, but his inability to deliver an accurate pass allowed the home defence to scramble across. This was one of the key moments of the game.
While the Rainey pack impressed in patches, they were unable to sustain the momentum and while the tackling of the backs was very sound, their inability to retain possession in the tackle situation let them down time and again.
On the half hour, a ridiculous decision was to have a huge bearing on the outcome of the game. When a Queen's player charged straight at Rainey prop Quinn, he was stopped in his tracks by a perfect low tackle. The ball carrier then fell over the tackler. But the referee amazingly adjudged it to be a dangerous tip tackle and sent the Rainey man to the bin. Queen's took advantage to exert pressure and missed a certain try when the ball carrier stumbled just short of the line, but minutes later, flanker Swann crossed with McMaster's conversion putting Queen's 12-10 in front. Rainey responded with some fine play, but posed little threat in midfield.
Queen's were 17-10 ahead within minutes of the restart. From an attack on the right, McMaster kicked into space for captain Whitten to score in the far corner. Showing more urgency, the Rainey forwards upped their game to stay in the right part of the pitch, but their ball retention frustrated them on several occasions. Peeling from the tail of a lineout, they were stopped five yards short. A series of scrums saw the students collapse without a yellow card being produced, adding to Rainey's growing frustration, but when another scrum twisted to the left, they managed to move the ball out for O'Neill to go over half way out. Magrath's conversion made it 17-17.
Rainey looked likely winners entering the final quarter, but a number of stoppages for injuries caused them to lose momentum. Lorcan Quinn was flattened as he jumped to field a high ball, but no action was taken. Queen's hacked on to cause some panic, but Rainey scrambled back well to deal with a dangerous situation. With five minutes of added time played, a draw would probably have satisfied both camps, but the drama was still to come.
TEAM: L.Quinn, A,Donaghy, M.O'Neill, D.McMurray, N.Jeffers, A.Magrath, J.Bloomfield, C.Hume, B.Roberts, J.McCusker, R.McCusker, A.Bratton, J.McAuley, C.Brockschmidt.
REPLACEMENTS: K.Donaghy, M.McCusker, C.Devlin