'A GAME of two halves' is a well-worn cliche, but this was certainly the case at New Ormond Park where Nenagh Ormond beat Rainey Old Boys 29-7 on Easter Saturday.

The Old Boys played some of their best rugby of the season against a very strong wind in the first half, but simply didn't count after the break as the more experienced Nenagh forwards deprived them of possession to run out easy winners in the end.

They looked well capable of coming away with an unexpected victory when they led 7-5 as half-time approached, but indiscipline played a big part in Nenagh's injury time try and when they did manage to get their hands on the ball in the second half, Rainey didn't make the best use of a biting wind that blew straight down the park and gave the ball away too often to help Nenagh on their way to a flattering winning margin.

Nenagh mised a first minute penalty and were soon on the back foot when No.8 Dawson broke up the left wing before play was switched to the other side of the field for wing Walsh to stretch his legs.

Three lovely breaks from Glancy and another from Kerr gave Rainey added confidence as they continued to contain and frustrate the home side who had a forward yellow carded before Rainey went ahead after twenty minutes.

They poured forward from a scrum with second-row Glendinning picking up to score beneath the posts after great work by Boyle and O'Kane.Glancy converted.

The forwards were able to maintain their impressive work rate which earned them a penalty in the Nenagh 22', but they chose to kick to the corner and soon found themselves back in their own '22'.

Rainey captain O'Kane and an opponent were sin-binned for an off the ball altercation after 30 minutes and three minutes later a kick to the wing resulted in a try for Nenagh's O'Brien.In time added on Rainey were penalized for talking out of turn and play was brought forward another ten metres continued to voice his disapproval.

Patient
After kicking to the corner and patiently going through the phases Gavin crossed to give Nenagh a 10-7 lead which they hardly deserved.

Rainey rarely touched the ball in the third quarter as the Nenagh pack played keep ball to work their way upfield against Rainey's young forwards who were unable to do anything about it.

With a full squad to select from, Nenagh were able to bring on fresh legs. Yet Rainey stayed in the picture until a handling error in the centre let Lillis in for a soft try.

Their defence, which has let them down too often this season, was found wanting again when back-row man Keenan was allowed to break wide from a scrum and back infield to score at the posts without a finger being laid on him.

Stephen McKinstry became the 43rd player to appear on the 1st XV this season when he came on to the wing as a replacement.

Out for over a year with a shoulder injury, he will hopefully be able to challenge for a place in the back row next season.

Another replacement, Gavin Martin, made a nice little break, but was penalized after becoming isolated for holding on and was promptly sin-binned for debating the decision.

The referee somehow found seven minutes of stoppage time to add on and when Rainey again coughed up possession O'Brien claimed his second try with Lillis again adding the points.

Team:R.Paul, T.Walsh, Jer. McMurray, N.Suiter, J.McBride, M.Glancy, R.Paul, S.McDowell, C.Heaney ,N. O'Kane, P.Boyle, M.Glendinning, M.Murray, D.Dawson, A.Kerr.
REPLACEMENTS:S.McKinstry (Suiter 65) G.Martin (Walsh 65)
Other Division 3 results - Ards 15-25 City of Derry; Co.Carlow 10-12 Connemara; Corinthians 7-20 Instonians; Midleton 21-28 Banbridge; Naas 3-34 Bruff; Queen's 58-12 Sunday's Well; Waterpark 3-13 Old Wesley