2nd XV League
Saturday 26th September 2026
Try Scorers: J McCavana (1), D McErlean (2), AJ Brown (1), L Quinn (1)
Conversions: R Kearns (3)
Rainey 2nd XV made their second trip of the league campaign to County Fermanagh on Saturday, travelling to face Enniskillen 2nd XV on the same day that the Rainey 1st XV took on Enniskillen’s senior side.
The visitors made a bright start and opened the scoring through hooker Jack McCavana. Following a penalty kicked to the corner, Rainey set up a driving maul before McCavana broke away from the back and dived over the line. The conversion was unsuccessful, giving Rainey an early 5–0 lead.
Enniskillen responded with a well-placed grubber kick which found its way behind the Rainey defensive line, allowing the home side to gather and cross for their opening try. The conversion was successful to put the hosts 7–5 ahead.
Rainey quickly regained the initiative. Another penalty was kicked to the corner and, following the lineout, the visitors played the ball off the top and went through a series of phases, gradually working their way towards the Enniskillen line. With the pressure mounting, scrum-half Lorcan Quinn spotted an opportunity and darted over to score Rainey’s second try. The conversion was missed, leaving the visitors 10–7 ahead.
The second half saw Rainey make an immediate impact.
Straight from the restart, prop Deaglan McErlean crashed over from close range to score Rainey’s third try of the afternoon. Out-half Ryan Kearns added the conversion to extend the visitors’ advantage to 17–7.
Enniskillen responded with a break through the Rainey defensive line, working the ball out through their backs before crossing for their second try. The successful conversion reduced the deficit to 17–14.
Rainey answered almost immediately.
Quick ball from scrum-half Lorcan Quinn created the opportunity, with winger AJ Brown cutting infield before powering over from five metres out. Kearns added the conversion to make it 24–14 to Rainey.
The home side refused to go down and produced another attacking move out wide. A break through the backline, combined with some clever footwork as the attackers stepped both outside and inside the Rainey defence, created enough space for Enniskillen to score out wide on the left. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the visitors 24–19 ahead.
Rainey then produced what proved to be the crucial score of the game.
Prop Deaglan McErlean, who had carried strongly throughout the afternoon, received the ball close to the Enniskillen line and powered his way over for his second try of the game. Kearns converted once again to put Rainey 31–19 ahead.
Enniskillen managed to score a converted try in the dying minutes, but it wasn’t enough to deny the visitors, with Rainey holding on to secure an impressive 31–26 victory.
It was another positive afternoon for Rainey 2nd XV, with the pack putting in a strong shift and several players making telling contributions.
Deaglan McErlean was particularly impressive throughout, carrying strongly and putting in a solid scrummaging performance, while out wide AJ Brown once again caught the eye with another standout display.
Brown’s try was his third of the season in just three games, continuing an impressive start to the campaign and giving the coaching staff plenty to consider as the season progresses.
