RAINEY II 26 – 32 Portadown II
Provincial Premier 1 20 September 2025
Kearns (1*Try, 3*Conv) McKenna (1*Try) Caldwell (1*Try) Bolton(1*Try)
Rainey II hosted Portadown II at Hatrick Park in a fiercely contested Provincial Premier Division 1 clash that eventually saw the visitors edge out the home side 32–26 in a game full of momentum swings and spirited comebacks.
Portadown came out of the blocks with intent, dominating the first half with clinical execution and a greater hunger at the breakdown. Rainey, despite applying pressure and enjoying decent territory, couldn’t convert their efforts into points—being held up over the line and guilty of forcing the play at key moments.
The second half began with Portadown extending their lead, but Rainey responded with renewed belief. Outhalf Kearns sparked the comeback with a quick tap penalty five metres out, powering over for the home side’s first try and adding the conversion himself.
Momentum shifted as replacement back-rower McKenna broke through for Rainey’s second, again converted by Kearns, narrowing the gap. Portadown replied with another score, but Rainey weren’t done.
A well-drilled set-piece move saw Rainey strike again. From a five-metre scrum, scrumhalf McCloskey fed Kearns, who drew defenders before offloading to fullback Caldwell on a superb support line to dot down under the posts. Kearns added the extras to bring the score to 21–25.
With ten minutes to play and the game hanging in the balance, Portadown found space to score their final try, stretching their lead to 32–21. Rainey, refusing to quit, earned multiple penalties and kicked to the corner. From a five-metre lineout, hooker McGuckin’s overthrow was scooped up by prop Mac Fhirleann, who was stopped just short. Lock Bolton seized the moment, diving full stretch to score Rainey’s fourth try. The conversion went wide, leaving the final score at 26–32.
Despite the loss, Rainey’s pack impressed with strong carries from props Nevin and Mac Fhirleann, solid lineout work from Bolton and Bell, and clever tactical kicking from Kearns. A special mention goes to debutant Rutledge, the Nova Scotian back-rower who made a promising first appearance for the club.
Rainey II will take heart from their second-half performance and look to build on it in the weeks ahead.
