U14 XV Photo Archive & Match Reports

Season 2007-2008

Wednesday 30th January

Rainey U14XV v Cambridge House  -   17 - 10 WIN


A mid-week away match today against Cambridge House, Rainey U14XV hoped for a strong performance.


Before the game Martin Connolly told his players exactly what was expected. Rainey were to play hard from the whistle and take control of the game.


As Connolly got the game under way the game plan swung into action. Forwards dominated the Cambridge House pack and were delivering, if somewhat uncontrolled at times, repeated ball out to Derby.


Playing, in my opinion, his game of the season, Jonathan Blair opened the scoring for Rainey. A strong run with bags of momentum Blair crashed over the line which Connolly duly converted.


Neil McColgan crossed the line for the second Rainey try after an excellent off load in the back line. Neil managed to out manoeuvre his cover to bring the score to 12 points without reply.


The second half Rainey started slowly and allowed Cambridge house to score twice, both unconverted. Suddenly Rainey's win began to look very uncertain.


A sore line of 12-10 Rainey could not afford to make any mistakes. Now with five minutes to go Martin Connolly seized his chance. Having been awarded a penalty for diving over the ruck Martin took a quick tap and go crossing the line virtually unopposed.


Cambridge House produced a late spell of strong play close to the Rainey line but ran out of time to produce another sore.


A bitterly contested game today in somewhat stormy conditions Rainey U14XV again proved their spirit and desire to compete not just for the remainder of this season but also in their Medallion year ahead.


Rainey Man of the Match - Jonathan Blair. Excellent play today Johnny! Well done.


Final Score - 17-10 win


Mr Palmer

U14XV Training Session with Ulster Rugby Players

Tuesday's training session (29th February 2007) the U14XV were joined by Paul McKenzie, Jarlath Carey and Thomas Anderson from the Ulster Rugby Squad.


While Thomas Anderson and Jarlath Carey worked with the forwards on Line Out and Rucking, Paul McKenzie spent time with the back line.


Both forwards and back line benefited tremendously by the training session. On behalf of the Rainey U14XV Squad and myself I wish to whole heartedly thank Paul, Jarlath, Thomas and the Ulster Rugby Branch for their support and encouragement.


Mr Palmer

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Saturday 19th January

Rainey 7 - 17 Bangor Grammar
Defeat

Rainey U14 XV travelled to Bangor today with an air of confidence given the strong squad that was to face the hosts. New players in the squad breathing depth into the side and recent promising passages of play made for a optimistic approach to today's game. The same reasons then compounded the disappointment at the eventual defeat when the final whistle blew.

Rainey started very strong taking control of the game from the beginning, so much so that an early try looked inevitable. Bangor wobbled under the pressure, but to their credit, did not surcome, holding their line.

Bangor rallied and began to move the ball with more confidence, especially by the number 10, who showed displays of great skill. Rainey forwards, perhaps due to a lack of fitness, cost the first score. A huge delay in ball being rucked out after an excellent run by Thomas Mains saw the hosts steal and run straight back into the  Rainey half and ultimately over the try line to open the scoring. The conversion was not scored keeping the damage to 5 points.

Rainey continued to battle hard but mistakes and an overly flat back line hindered the side from moving forward.  David McNally saw the ball a few times in the first half but failed to get away from the Bangor cover.

Bangor scored once more before half time bringing the score line to 10-0.

In the second half Bangor began much more strongly than in the first, scoring off the top of a line out. This time the conversion was scored bringing the scoreline to 17-0.

A bizarre incident to note saw me (Mr Palmer) making my own tackle in the game when attending an injured Martin Connoly collided with the Bangor fullback bringing the game to a stand still for a few minutes!

A consolation try for Rainey shortly after saw the final score end 17-7.

Taking positives from the game - new players in the squad such as Fearghal Shivers and Andrew Morton promises a richness that is still undeveloped. A team spirit now exists that will undoubtedly help the U14 XV as they move ever forward into Medallion.

Things to work on - Ball handling skills still let the side down. Not so much handling errors but more slow ball along the back line often impede the ball from crossing the gain line. Fitness continues to challenge the squad. A few players lack of fitness is very evident from the side line.

Rainey man of the match, a very deserving Thomas Mains, for in my opinion his best performance of the season.
Well done Thomas.

Mr Palmer

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Saturday 5th January

Rainey v Ballyclare High- Away
Defeat 26 - 0

A very cold day with snow still on the ground Rainey U14 XV travelled to Ballyclare High School.

The first half began very promising with Rainey playing well with the help of a brisk wind.  Forwards and backs working well clearing the ball.  Ballyclare rallied however battling against the elements to produce their first converted try.  The second quarter of the game Rainey lacked spirit allowing heads to drop and crucially failing to make the most of the breeze.  Another Ballyclare try in the corner before half time brought the score to 12 points to zero.

In the second half of the game Rainey really began to play.  Forwards worked together rucking the ball much better than the first half allowing quality passages of play though the back line.  Hampered slightly by the now very strong wind, mistakes were being made in the attacking game, however,  defensively, Rainey remained strong.  Changes in the second half showed what an all round player Fearghal Shivers is as he moved from his flanker position, in the pack, to the wing where he displayed some excellent rugby.

Rainey got close to scoring on a few occasions in the dying minutes of the game but unfortunately a conciliation try was not to be.

On the whole a valiantly played game with some good passages of play hounded by lapses of concentration and commitment eventually costing Rainey the game.

Man of the match was awarded to Chris Moffat who took the field today not feeling 100% but still showed a great deal of courage playing at full back. Well done Chris!

Next week another away game against Grosvenor.

Mr Palmer

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Saturday 8th December

Rainey v Carrick Grammar
27 - 0 Win

A cold and wet day today did not deter the Rainey U14XV from achieving
a comfortable win over Carrick Grammar.

Rainey were convincing from the first whistle with the ball secured well despite the terrible conditions.  Settling into the game Rainey began to take control. Five minutes into the game, still finding his feet , Andrew Morton ran in an impressive try, outpacing his pursuers to open the scoring.

A few minutes later Damien Devlin confidently ran in the second Rainey try putting the ball down right between the posts. Martin Connolly converted leaving the score line 12 points to 0.

With Ali Derby supplying some excellent balls to Ryan Brown, Brown hoisted some clever kicks into the wind maintaining the pressure on the visitors. With Carrick under pressure and the Rainey forwards taking the ball on well up front it was only a matter of time until the pack would rumble over the try line again. This time Jack McCalmont smashed over setting the ball down for his first of two tries of the morning.

In the second half Rainey used the wind to launch the ball high testing the Carrick full back time after time. The pack maintained their pressure as the weather deteriorated. Ten minutes before the end Paul Hassan bursted through the defense for his first try of the season.  Before the final whistle McCalmont closed the scoring with his second try of the game. A strong finish for a strong player, Jack also picked up Man of the Match, his second award of the season.

Each player gave their very best today and I personally want to congratulate the team for their performance this week. A fine win.

Next game, Sullivan Upper at home, 15th December.


Mr Palmer

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Saturday 1st December

Rainey v Royal School Armagh
31 - 5 Defeat

Some excellent rugby played today against a side that had previously beaten some formidable opponents.

A shaky start saw Armagh score two easy tries in quick succession leading to fears of a heavy defeat.  Instead the Rainey U14 XV rallied and began playing their best rugby
of the season.  Attacks led by the clever kicking of Ryan Brown saw Rainey launch
periods of sustained pressure on the visitors.  Brown continued to launch the ball high over the defensive line, eventually paying off when the ball found its way out to David McNally.  McNally ran half the length the pitch chased by a number of the opposition
who never looked like catching him.

A player deserving mention is Chris Moffatt who played on despite picking up a knee injury in the first half.  Chris played excellently in defense throughout the game and if it weren't for Brown's excellent kicking would have definitely have picked up man of the match this week.

A great game strongly contested to the last whistle. Well done team.

Next game, Carrick Grammar at home, 8th December


Mr Palmer

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Saturday 17th November

Match Report - Rainey v B.R.A.

A score line not reflective of the style or quality of rugby played today by Rainey U14XV.

Rainey started well against a strong side displaying promising passages of play into a very strong headwind.  With five minutes played B.R.A scored the first of 4 tries in the half.  Rainey determined to stem the tide before half time rallied, finishing the first half strongly.

With the wind at their backs the Rainey plan was to hoist the ball high and use the natural advantage enjoyed by the hoists in the first half.  Not in the plan was the early try scored by B.R.A keeping their spirits high for the remainder of the game. Rainey unfortunately failed to put points on the board and the game finished 43-0 in the
hosts' favour.

Rainey man of the match went to the leader of the team, the captain, Martin Connolly. Martin has grown as a leader since September and during Saturday's game led his side
superbly. Well done Martin.

Next game, Omagh Academy at home, 24th November .

Final Score  43 - 0 Defeat


Mr J Palmer

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Saturday 27th October

Match Report - Rainey U14 XV v Royal School Dungannon at Dungannon

Today Rainey U14XV took the field with a team not as strong or as talented as themselves.  This made the defeat very difficult to accept.


Rainey started the game sluggishly up front giving the back line the job of crossing the gain line in each phase.  During the first half Rainey began to improve with both forward and back line beginning to work better together.  Chris Moffett was tested time after time as the Dungannon Royal full back hoisted the ball toward the Rainey line.  Moffett's composure stayed strong but was occasionally left isolated without the support of the Rainey pack.  Two very similar tries from Dungannon were run in along the right wing. These were both converted by half time giving the hosts a 14 to 0 point lead.


Rainey ended the first half strong and so the team had a realistic belief that the game could easily be turned around.  For a time this belief was kept alive by Peter Megary and David McNally running in a try each.  Neither were converted.  Rainey did not have the fitness to make up the full points difference accrued in the first half. Dungannon seized their chance in the Rainey down turn and nullafied the 2nd half Rainey tries by running in two of their own.


Final score, a disappointing 24-10 defeat at the hands of a side that could so easily have been beaten.  Lack of fitness ultimately cost the visting side the game.  A week off now for half term will serve as an excellent opportunity for the U14XV to target their own fitness.


Have a great half term boys.

Final Score - 24-10 Defeat

Next game, Ballymena Academy, 10th November after half term.


Mr J Palmer

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Saturday 13th October

Match Report - Rainey U14 XV v RBAI at Bladon, Belfast
Encouraged by recent success the Rainey U14 XV today travelled to R.B.A.I.  The mood could be summarised as optimistic yet realistic - Rainey knew the encounter would not be an easy one.

Taking the field it was clear that Rainey U14 XV were determined to cause an upset. From the first whistle Rainey piled on pressure not allowing R.B.A.I to take control of the game. Despite Rainey setting up camp in the R.B.A.I half, points were not scored. This, as it
turned out, would be very detrimental to the remainder of the proceedings as a late try in the first half put R.B.A.I five points up. The conversion was slotted over to add another two on the stroke of half time.

The second half began much like the first but this time it was R.B.A.I that was applying pressure. Unfortunately for Rainey with 10 minutes of the half gone a yellow and black shirt scrambled over the line to extend the R.B.A.I lead to 12 - 0, shortly becoming 14 - 0 as the opposition kicker maintained form.

After that, Rainey did show some signs of a consolation score as Jonathan Blair went on a great solo charge but as was the problem so often today supporting players were lacking and after R.B.A.I kicked themselves out of danger the final whistle blew.

In summary another encouraging game with some excellent passages of play. More phases now being played than at the beginning of term but I can't help feel if U14 XV fitness were to improve we would see a dramatic jump in performance. On the whole a decent game of rugby where Rainey were perhaps a little unlucky not to add to their
ongoing points tally.

Rainey man of the match went to a very hardworking Thomas Mains. Thomas was
impressive throughout the match both in his offensive and defensive game. Many excellent tackles were observed from the sidelines. Well done Thomas!

Special mention to William Moore who today played in his first game of rugby. We welcome William to the squad and hope he becomes a familiar figure wearing black and red for the Rainey U14 XV this year.

Next game, Royal School Dungannon, 3rd November after half term.

Final Score - 14-0 Defeat

Mr J Palmer

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Saturday 6th October

Match Report - Rainey U14 XV v Larne Grammar
An excellent contest between two very deserving teams.
Ahead of a tough fixture next weekend Rainey U14 knew that today's game had to be strongly contested.

Rainey played with passion from the first whistle immediately putting the visitors under pressure. A spell in Rainey's twenty two did not deter the side and after ten hard fought minutes a well placed kick allowed Rainey to come within striking distance of the Larne line.

The stronger of the two packs, Rainey set up ruck after ruck eventually affording Rainey's second row Michael Holgate to place the ball down for five points. The conversion was not scored.  An almost identical try at the other side of the pitch meant the two sides drew even just before half time.

As the whistle signalled the start of the second half, Rainey were caught cold and allowed a Larne player to run up and score in the corner. Rainey lagged by 10 points to 5 for the majority of the second half despite maintained pressure within Larne's twenty two. A few minutes from the end Neil McColgan summarised the strength and determination showed by the entire team today when he battled his way from the 10 metre line to score a well deserved try.

The tension was high as Martin Connoly stepped up to take the conversion. All stood wide eyed as the ball rebounded off the upright denying Rainey the win!
Two minutes later the match was over. Rainey were obviously disappointed not to win but nevertheless a very succesful day for the U14 side.

The Parkmore Roofing Contracts Rainey 'Man of the Match' was awarded to Neil McColgan for the quality of his play throughout the game. Well done Neil.

Today's success will greatly encourage the U14 XV next weekend when they face R.B.A.I away.


Final Score - 10-10 Draw

Mr J Palmer

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Saturday 29th September

Rainey U14 XV v Clounagh Junior High

A heavy defeat this week at the hands of a well drilled side. It was clear from the whistle that this would be a difficult match. The Clounagh pack were physically strong and took every chance to punch holes in the Rainey defence. Five converted tries were scored prior to half time.


The second half was more encouraging with periods of strong play by Rainey. Both Rainey wingers tried in vain to get across the Clounagh line but in all occasions were forced into touch.


Twenty two more Clounagh points were scored before full time proving their strength and domination over Rainey this weekend.  Positives from the game, from a coaches point of view, was the tenacity of Rainey playing to the best of their ability for the full 50 minutes in the face of such strong opposition. Jonathan Blair deserves special mention playing with ongoing injury. With this level of determination combined with a full strength team Rainey U14 will be looking for a good game against Antrim on Thursday.

Final Score - 57-0 defeat

Mr J Palmer

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Saturday 22nd September


Rainey U14 XV v Foyle


Rainey started strong holding Foyle on their line for a sustained period. Unfortunately the early pressure did not translate to points and a Rainey score remained illusive. After this initial strong period of play Rainey's game crumbled. Miss tackles was the main
component of Raineys demise and as a result the U14 XV found themselves the wrong side of a 21-0 scoreline.

In the second half Foyle came out strong encouraged by their success in the first half.  Rainey failed to raise their game allowing Foyle to run in another three tries.  All but one were converted.  A late consolation try scored by Thomas Mains gave Rainey their only 5
points of the day.

Players returned to Rainey frustrated having not seen the strong potential of their side displayed so clearly one week earlier.

Final Score - 40-5 defeat


Mr J Palmer