Draws are a rare occurence nowadays in rugby, but a 13-13 outcome was probably a fair enough result at New Ormond Park where both Nenagh and Rainey Old Boys were hoping to build on their Week 1 victories.This was a strange game,with Rainey starting brightly and almost snatching a dramatic late win,but for much of the afternoon they had to play second fiddle to an uncompromising home side and in the end were more than likely to come away with two points.There has been little between the sides over the years with Nenagh always managing to get the verdict,so Rainey will be relieved to have at least stopped the rot.
Rainey were without O’Kane and Montgomery,but were able to include Paul Heaney in their squad after a six week absence.They looked the part in the opening exchanges and were 10-0 up after only twelve minutes.Shiels did well to field a high clearance and feed Sciascia who put them back in the corner.The pack drove on from the lineout to force a penalty which Martin kicked.Sciascia then found another good touch and,taking ball against the throw,they produced a simple,but well executed back move which gave left-wing Mc Clelland a try which Martin improved.
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Nenagh’s clear dominance in the scrum then altered proceedings completely for the next twenty minutes.They spilled the ball just short of the line and fully extended the Rainey defence before opening their account with a penalty and drew level after 29 minutes when a turnover and a succession of missed tackles in midfield allowed them to romp through for a try at the posts.
From the restart,Nenagh kicked ahead and gave chase,forcing wing Clarke to get back and clear.Clarke then had a gilt-edged chance to land a killer blow.Turnover ball on halfway enabled Sciascia to kick ahead into open space for Clarke to leave the opposition standing,but the rolling ball did not pop up for him as it would do nine times out of ten.Faced with the choice of playing the ball over the line with his foot and then dropping on it or picking it up,he opted for the latter,but knocked on.Rainey then lost both their second rows with arm injuries to add to their problems.Sciascia was already struggling with a shoulder injury which had made him a doubtful starter.
Rainey made inroads into the home 22′ straight from the kick-off,but over elaboration and a lack of patience cost them as Sciascia pushed a drop at goal past the post.Heaney broke from the tail of a lineout,but his offload was intecepted.Nenagh’s hard-working pack had Rainey reeling on several occasions and their straight running centres threatened to do damage as Rainey struggled to change the pattern.Despite going back in the scrum,Rainey took a heel against the head,but were penalised for offside as the chaser was deemed to have advanced ahead of the kicker.Nenagh made the most of their luck to take the lead.
Rainey got the break they badly needed when the Nenagh hooker was sin-binned on 65 minutes for a needless late tackle after the whistle had sounded.The Rainey pack made ground with a catch and drive to win a penalty which Martin converted with thirteen minutes remaining.Martin was short with an ambitious long range shot as Rainey continued to maintain the pressure.Clarke again showed his pace,but could not get a pass inside to his support.A Heaney take in the lineout,followed by a number of phases near the Nenagh line saw Sciascia drop back for another drop goal attempt,but he stumbled and knocked on just as he reached for the pass in a great position.In injury time,Donaghy did well to turn over ball,allowing Dawson to storm into the Nenagh 22,but his pass to Clarke was intercepted.The last play in a nail-biting ending gave them another drop goal opportunty,but they chose to go wide and Clarke was forced into touch at the flag.
TEAM : R.Paul,A.Clarke,J.Mc Bride,D.Mc Murray,M.McClelland,G.Martin,P.Sciascia,S.Mc Dowell,S.Suffein,P.Boyle,P.Stewart,M.Shiels,A.Harbinson,D.Dawson,S.Hawe.
REPLACEMENTS : P.Heaney ( Shiels 37 ) N.Rankin ( Stewart 37 ) R.Hall ( McDowell 53 ) K.Donaghy ( Sufferin 58 ) P.Wilson ( Mc Clelland )
DIVISION 2 B results : Ards 15-15 Suttonians Armagh 52-17 Wanderers Boyne 27-22 Connemara Cashel 16-12 Banbridge Highfield 11-6 Sunday’s Well Naas 6-22 Barnhall Navan 27-12 Sligo
FIXTURES for Sat.15 October
1st XV v NUIM BARNHALL away ( at Parsonstown,just outside Cellbridge.Co.Kildare )
3rd XV v CITY OF DERRY 3 home 2.30 p.m.
4th X v ENNISKILLEN 3 away
FORTHCOMING EVENTS – Sat.15 Oct. Launch of Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire ?
Friday,21 Oct. TABLE QUIZ – proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support.
