RAINEY 19 – 5 BELFAST HARLEQUINS
Bank of Ireland Senior Shield 30 August 2025
McLaughlin (1*Try) McCusker (1*Try) K.Donaghy (1*Try) McLean(2*Conv)
In a rain-lashed showdown at Deramore Park, Rainey battled both the elements and a resolute Belfast Harlequins side to claim a hard-fought victory in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Senior Shield.
With wind and rain swirling ominously, Rainey chose to harness the gale in the first half. Their early momentum was met by fierce Quins resistance, as the hosts absorbed pressure and used the wind to repel Rainey’s territorial advances.
But the deadlock was finally broken midway through the half. From a seemingly innocuous ruck on the Quins 10-metre line, out-half McLean flung a long pass to Hall, who spotted a chink in the defensive armour. Hall sliced through the defence and linked up with Brown, whose slick offload sent winger McLaughlin darting over the line for the opening try. McLean’s conversion attempt, however, was swept wide by the wind.
With the wind now against them in the second half, Rainey showed no signs of retreat. McLean fielded a deep Quins clearance and launched a counterattack from his own 22, feeding fullback McCartney. He and No8 McMurray punched through the midfield before Brown spun the ball wide to lock Bell. The young lock’s clever inside pass found flanker McCusker, who galloped in close to the posts. This time, the conversion was good—Rainey led 12–0.
But Quins weren’t done. A sustained siege in Rainey’s 22, aided by a yellow card, saw the home side finally breach the line through their centre. The conversion clanged off the upright, leaving Rainey with a 7-point cushion.
With ten minutes to go, Rainey struck again. A scrum deep in Quins territory saw McCusker drive hard, Hutchinson powered closer, and then prop K. Donaghy bulldozed through two defenders to score the decisive try—capping a colossal performance that earned him Rainey’s Man of the Match.
Rainey now turn their sights to a home fixture next Saturday, where they’ll face Malone—who fell just short in a 17–18 thriller against Ballyclare.
