RAINEY V BHSFP

On the first of three Junior Cup weeks High School travelled to Magherafelt to face a Rainey second XV. The team, which travelled, was considerably changed in personnel from the previous week due to the unavailability of some regular 1st XV members through injury.

The visitors got the game underway and with the elements in their favour were soon putting the Rainey side under considerable pressure. An early penalty opportunity was put wide but this did little to dampen the enthusiasm of this young High School side. With Matthew McNutt playing at outhalf alongside Kenny McCullough there was a confident look about the back line and with the forward pack dominating proceedings up front it wasn’t long before points were secured. The pressure on the Rainey side paid off after 17 minutes when good first phase ball was moved wide to the wing allowing Neil Hastings to finish of in the corner. The try was converted well by Matthew McNutt.

High School continued to pressure the Rainey line in the second quarter and was unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to finish off good attacking moves. The Rainey team were coming back into the game at this stage and were able to secure more ball through their heavyweight pack. A rare foray into High School territory saw Rainey accumulate three points from a drop goal, which fortunately for the home side hit the crossbar and just about managed to slip between the sticks. They all count though and with thirty minutes gone Rainey were on the scoreboard.

Within two minutes the referee decided to hand out a yellow card to Kenny McCullough having previously warned High School about repeated infringements. The subsequent penalty was converted by Rainey bringing the teams within one point of each other even though High School were well on top in most facets of the game. With Kenny in the cooler Richard Atkinson moved to scrum half and High School carried on with fourteen men until a few minutes later when Stewart Thompson, who had been playing well up to this point had to leave the field injured. The replacement sub was Aran Breen playing his first game for the club at this level.

As the game progressed towards half time High School continued to dominate the match and were in continuous attack particularly through the strong running and tackling of Jope Witi who was unfortunate in this half not to get his name on the score sheet.

Just before the half time whistle High School added to their points tally with a well taken penalty by Matthew McNutt.

HALF TIME RAINEY 6 - 10 BHSFP

With Kenny McCullough returned to the ranks the second half started with Rainey taking advantage of the windy conditions and securing field position in the High School 22. Another drop goal was secured and Rainey were again only one point behind High School.

The High School side needed to extend their lead at this stage to have any chance of getting the victory they deserved for their performance in this match. Good tackling by the High School defence saw the attacking Rainey side spill the ball on the visitors 22. The ensuing foot rush allowed various High School players to charge back up field with Jope Witi deservedly getting the touchdown as the Rainey covering players were unable to control the possession. The conversion was missed with the second half fifteen minutes old.

As the match continued another yellow card was produced by the referee, which saw the Rainey number 8 leave the field for the obligatory ten minute rest.

At this stage in the third quarter the Rainey side started to gain confidence through their outhalf who continually used the boot to get out of trouble when High School threatened their line. Eventually the High School defence, which had been excellent throughout the match cracked and Rainey were let in for a soft try under the posts. The conversion was good and for the first time in the game Rainey were in the lead by one point.

In the final quarter High School were unable to secure a penalty opportunity and fought hard to take back the match. The High School side, despite great efforts were unable to secure any further points and as the game drew to a close Rainey extended their lead to four points with a penalty virtually on the final whistle.

The High School side were disappointed at loosing this match by a small margin as they had played very well and would have been deserving of a victory. However a number of players who were inexperienced at this level stood up well and will be in the hunt for regular places as the season progresses.

FINAL SCORE RAINEY 19 - 15 BHSFP