RAINEY 18 – 27 Malone
Bank of Ireland Senior Shield 18 Sept 2025
McLaughlin (1*Try) AJ Brown (1*Try) McLean(2*Pen, 2*Conv)
In relentless torrential rain from first whistle to last, Rainey hosted Malone in a rearranged Ulster Senior Shield clash that saw the visitors claim a hard-fought 27–18 victory under the floodlights at Hatrick Park.
Rainey, playing with the wind and rain at their backs in the first half, made early use of the conditions. Out-half McLean slotted two well-struck penalties to give the home side a 6-point lead, with Malone replying with one of their own amid mounting pressure. Despite being pinned back for long spells, Rainey’s defence held firm and they eventually turned the tide.
A solid scrum on Malone’s 10-metre line gave Rainey clean ball, which was spun wide through the backs to fullback McLaughlin. He accelerated into space, beat two defenders, and dived over in the corner for the game’s first try. McLean added a superb touchline conversion to stretch the lead, and was unlucky not to add another three points shortly after.
Rainey’s second try came from a scrappy five-metre lineout, tidied up by scrumhalf Quinn. The forwards drove the ball toward the posts before McLean fired a long miss-pass left to winger AJ Brown, who finished well in the corner. McLean again nailed the conversion from the touchline, giving Rainey an 18–3 lead at the break.
The second half saw Rainey face the full force of the elements, and Malone wasted no time in capitalising. Their forwards powered over for a converted try, and moments later their scrumhalf darted through a gap to score again, narrowing the margin to a single point.
Pinned deep in their own half, Rainey struggled to exit and Malone’s pressure eventually told. A short-range penalty nudged the visitors ahead, and they sealed the win with a sweeping long pass that sent their winger over in the corner. The conversion was the final blow in a gritty, rain-soaked contest.
