Hard-earned victory for Dungannon at Rainey

Rainey ......... 15
Dungannon ... 22

After the persistent rain on Friday, it was a pleasure to see bright sunshine at Hatrick Park on Saturday providing near perfect playing conditions for the local derby between Dungannon and Rainey in the fourth round of the AIL league.

Dungannon started brightly and showed good continuity to put pressure on the Rainey line, however, were not able to convert the pressure into points.

After a number of drives towards the Rainey line by the Dungannon pack, Andrew McGregor sent a cross-field kick towards the left corner, Dungannon were unlucky not to collect the kick, but the ball fell to Rainey who were able to clear their lines.

The next 20 minutes saw a sustained period of possession for Rainey with most of the play taking place in the Dungannon half, however, a well organised and committed Dungannon defence, led by captain James McMahon, resulted in the Rainey attacks ending up with the ball being spilled in the tackle or conceding penalties.

Rainey eventually opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, when a shortened throw to the front of the Rainey line out on Dungannon’s five-metre line, saw the Rainey prop, Aidan McSwiggan, go over for a try, which was unconverted.

More in this week's Tyrone Courier