Schools' Cup - Rainey Endowed School V Ballyclare High School, Match Report

On Saturday 9th February, Ballyclare 1st XV along with a large crowd of supporters made the forty minute journey to Maghrafelt, Co. Londonderry to take against Rainey Endowed School. The tie, in the fourth round of the Northern Bank Schools' Cup, had the prize of a place in the last eight for the victors! Ballyclare, having put in a great performance the previous week to see off Cambridge House, were reasonably optimistic of winning once again, but knew an improved performance would be required, to see off this Rainey side.

Despite being an away fixture, the large number of travelling supporters made the game feel like a home game. The noise of the crowd as Ballyclare emerged on the pitch far outweighed the support received by Rainey, and this continued throughout the match.

With this support it was Ballyclare who made the better start, and from kick-off Rainey were under huge amounts of pressure. Eventually Rainey conceded a penalty, which Smith converted leaving the score 3 - 0. Ballyclare maintained this pressure and eventually after a switch in the direction of play and a half break by Smith, a wide pass to Jim Neill allowed him to go in at the corner, leaving the score 8 - 0. Rainey pressurised towards the end of the half, and began to break tackles and weave their way into the ‘Clare 22. Ballyclare indiscipline allowed Rainey a shot at goal, but thankfully this went wide.

Halftime 0 - 8

An inspired Rainey side emerged in the second half and they immediately got into the Clare twentytwo and eventually Ballyclare were penalised and Rainey reduced the lead to 8 - 3.

Rainey again came back and Ballyclare indiscipline allowed the pressure to mount. Only superb defence around the fringes of the ruck kept Rainey at bay, and after a steal, Smith sent the ball up field and Rainey were forced, unders pressure, to kick the ball into touch. From the lineout a backline move sent Neill in at the corner again. This brought the score to 3 - 13, in favour of Ballyclare High. Rainey didn’t give up and came back once more. The Clare defence conceded penalty after penalty, some deserved others seemed a little harsh.

One of these decisions saw no. 8 Ryan Tweed sent to the sin-bin for coming in at the side of a ruck. Ballyclare were now aware of how strict the referee was going to be on such infringements. Ballyclare, now a man down, found themselves constantly under pressure from Rainey who made it very difficult for Ballyclare to contribute in an attacking sense to the game, but some outstanding play in defence was evident. This paved the way for Rainey to be knocked back, time after time never making the gain line. From a ruck to which Rainey committed 13 players to a ruck, a failed kick to touch was collected by Annette before being spread across the backline to Jim again and he completed his hat-trick, a great achievement.

Smith added the conversion from the corner leaving the score 20 - 3. This try was even more of an achievement as Ballyclare only had 14 players on the pitch. However this was soon 13, when fullback, Matthew Johnston was sent to the bin for a deserved yellow card after obstructing an opposing player after a chip over the top.

Thankfully two minutes later Tweed was allowed back on the pitch for the final minutes and Ballyclare held out for a deserved victory, by twenty points to three. Both teams are to be congratulate on a most exciting game.

Final Score - Rainey Endowed School 3 - Ballyclare High School 20