Despite the deteriorating weather conditions, the pitch was in excellent condition and both teams were determined to play entertaining rugby for the large number of supporters in attendance.
The Rainey team set their stall out early in the game and took a 7-0 lead with only minutes on the clock. Niall Keenan exploited a gap in the opposition defence and ran for a try which was converted by Scott McLean.
From the restart the Randalstown fullback, Michael O’Connell, displayed an adventurous approach and took play deep into Rainey territory. He combined with his winger, Joshua T Henry, to pressurise the Rainey defence and charge down an attempted clearance kick. Philip Steele was the benefactor and he finished off with an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 7-5.
Shortly after this the Rainey team, with the forwards and backs involved in a good exchange of passes, might have scored a second try only to see the ball go touch in goal. Eventually, the second Rainey try did come. Cameron Fulton and Keenan presented Odhran Islas with a try scoring opportunity, which he accepted. McLean added the extras to secure a 14-5 lead for the Rainey team. Then Jack McCool showed great power to take him past a number of defenders and run in for a try. Scott McLean converted the try to increase the Rainey lead to 21-5.
McCool was involved once again when he launched an attack from good scrum ball. He was tackled just short of the Randalstown line but his supporting colleagues produced quick ruck ball which presented Keenan with the opportunity to score an unconverted try to increase the Rainey lead to 26-5. Just before the interval McCool scored his second try of the game when he made a telling break, following a Rainey lineout, and finished off with a try. McLean converted the try to put the Rainey team into a 33-5 lead at the break.
The Randalstown team made a positive start to the second half and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Their pack carried strongly and the Rainey defence had to be well-organised to thwart the attacks. Eventually they got rewarded for all their hard work when Coby Mason and Matthew McCaw combined for the latter to finish off with a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Randalstown team had reduced the deficit to 33-10.
Randalstown continued to ask questions of the Rainey defence and they turned a Rainey scrum over in the 22m area. Unfortunately for them a pass was intercepted by Darren Corrigan who was able to run in for a try which McLean converted to increase the Rainey lead to 40-10.
In the remaining few minutes both teams had opportunities to score points but there were no further tries which ensured it was the Rainey team that emerged from the game as the third team into the hat for the Nutty Krust semi-final draw.
After the game the Man of the Match Award was presented to the Rainey scrumhalf, Fulton, by Allan Jardine, a member of the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament organising committee.
The fourth of the Nutty Krust quarter-final games will take place at Chambers Park on Wednesday 1st April when Omagh play Ballynahinch (7.45pm kick off).
Following this game the semi-final draw will take place. The semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April, while is final is on Wednesday 29th April.