Ards had selected a solid front row for the trip to Rainey aware of the strength of the home team’s props from the opening fixture of the season at Ards. Unfortunately the loss of two props mid –week forced late changes with hooker Conran Stewart starting at loose-head and Ashley Paden in the unfamiliar position of tight head. There were welcome returns to the side for Ryan Yates, Chris McClure, and David Parkhill.

Rainey started well putting Ards under early pressure and scored a try from their first visit into the Ards 22 after five minutes this was followed by a converted pushover try from a lineout. With a 12 -0 deficit and a scrum going backwards it looked like a long afternoon for the Ardsmen.

But a great turn over at a lineout by Yates and carries by Stewart and Ben Smith raised the Ards tempo and set up a fine individual try from Alan Crawford who outpaced the Rainey defence the conversion drifted just wide from Parkhill but the visitors were on the score board and eager for more tries.

Gareth McBurney was a man on a mission with his persistent carrying and line breaks and another bursting run left the Rainey defence vulnerable as fit again McClure finish a well worked try from a pop pass from Neil Beggs. Stand in kicker Parkhill landed his first of the day to draw level 12-12.

The scrum was giving Rainey good forward ball and Ards had to work hard in defence with Andrew Wright landing excellent clearance box kicks followed up by a well marshalled defence led by Parkhill.

Rainey regained the lead on half-time with a rash penalty for lazy running. 15-12

The second half began in a similar fashion with both teams trying to play open rugby and pursuing quick ball. Peter Croan had the Ards lineout delivering quick ball of the top but the indiscipline was costing them possession and penalties which lead to Rainey increasing the lead to 18-12.

The visitors fell afoul of some refereeing decisions and had centre Beggs sin binned for dissent the crucial turning point of the game followed with Rainey being awarded a penalty try from a 5 meter scrum 25-12. A further converted try was added to extent the lead to 32-12

Following end to end breaks, both teams were contributing to an entraining game of rugby, Ards upped their attacking enterprise and Parkhill and Crawford both exploited gaps in the home defence Smith the Ards number 8 showed great determination to crash over under the posts for Parkhill to convert.

This was a highly completive game and credit to Rainey on their win.

CONRAN STEWART, DAVID CHIVERS, ASHLEY PEDEN, GARETH MCBURNEY, PETER CROAN, RYAN YATES, ADRIAN DODD, BEN SMITH, ANDREW WRIGHT, DAVID PARKHILL, NEIL BEGGS, CHRIS MCCLURE, ADAM COULTER, ALAN CRAWFORD, JOEL ADAMS.