Rainey 3rd XV 14 – 26 Clogher Valley 3rd XV
Provincial South
Try Scorers:- S McOscar (*1), E Purcell (*1)
Conversions:- S McOscar (*1)
Rainey 3rd XV opened their Provincial South campaign on Saturday with a new-look side taking to the field against Clogher Valley 3rds at Hatrick Park.
The 3rd XV squad has been given a fresh injection of youth and experience this season, with 10 players returning from last season and seven new members joining the squad. A number of those new faces have stepped up from U18 and schools rugby into senior rugby, providing plenty of promise for the season ahead.
Among those making the step up was front-row forward Jake Wilson, who started at prop, while Aaron Buck took his place at flanker. In the backs, Thomas Eakin started at out-half, partnering last season’s outstanding scrum-half Sean McOscar, whose performances have already seen him come into contention for 2nd XV rugby.
The wings also saw youth players Matthew Linton and Oliver Davidson make the step into senior rugby, while Sam Odour made his first start for the club at centre following his transfer from Clogher Valley a couple of seasons ago.
On the bench, Matthew Pitts returned to competitive rugby after a few seasons away from the game. Having previously been involved with Ulster Youth, Pitts provided front-row cover, while Pearce McKenna was another player stepping up from youth rugby into the senior ranks.
Fast Start From Rainey
Rainey started brightly, putting Clogher Valley under sustained pressure inside their own 22 during the opening ten minutes.
Despite the early pressure, it was the visitors who struck first. Clogher intercepted possession and turned the opportunity into points, breaking upfield before crossing for the opening try.
The visitors then took control of the contest for the next 20 minutes, adding two further tries to stretch their advantage to 21 points.
However, Rainey responded with an excellent piece of individual play from scrum-half Sean McOscar.
From halfway, McOscar won a turnover before immediately spotting an opportunity to put the ball behind the Clogher defence with a well-judged box kick. McOscar chased his own kick and showed great determination to get to the ball first, touching down in the visitors’ in-goal area.
McOscar then added the extras himself to bring Rainey back into the contest just before the interval.
Half-Time: Rainey 7–21 Clogher Valley.
Rainey came out strongly after the restart and dominated the opening ten minutes of the second half. Their pressure eventually told when second-row forward Eric Purcell powered his way over the line to score Rainey’s second try of the afternoon.
Once again, McOscar stepped up to add the conversion.
With the deficit reduced to just seven points, a comeback looked very much on the cards. Clogher Valley responded by mounting an attack of their own, but Rainey showed their defensive resolve when inside centre Darren O’Kane produced a crucial try-saving tackle to deny the visitors.
Rainey continued to look for a way back into the game and created opportunities, but a number of unforced errors and knock-ons proved costly, with promising attacking positions failing to produce the scores they deserved.
With just five minutes remaining, Clogher Valley produced a well-executed set move from halfway. The visitors found a gap in the Rainey defence and finished the move underneath the posts for their fourth try.
The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Plenty of Positives
Despite the result, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Rainey in what was a new-look 3rds XV side.
Strong performances came from props Kundai Bopoto and Jake Wilson, with replacement prop Matthew Pitts also making a positive return to the paddock. Eric Purcell impressed with his physicality and try-scoring contribution, while No8 Aidan Molloy was another who made his presence felt with a series of strong carries.
There was also plenty to be encouraged by in the backline. Thomas Eakin showed promise at out-half, while fellow new faces Sam Odour, Matthew Linton and Oliver Davidson all contributed impressive attacking displays.
The 3rds XV have plenty of experience and youthful enthusiasm to build upon as the Provincial South campaign continues.
