Malone 3 ship a big score against Rainey Old boys

For Malone thirds they suffered their first league defeat of the season when they were defeated 76 – 5 at Gibson Park by a strong Rainey OB seconds team – 12 tries to 1. With Rainey OB 1st xv having no game yesterday it was always going to be a case of Junior players having to front up against UBL players at this level. This win returns Rainey OB seconds to the top of Ulster Rugby Provincial League 2, one point ahead of Malone thirds. Queens seconds inflicted a 52 – 5 defeat on Portadown seconds in Div 1 outscoring the visitors 8 tries to one. These two games highlight the difficulties for Junior teams playing Ulster UBL second xv sides when their 1st xv have no games. Question I have to ask who are the winners in this situation. Certainly not the UBL clubs or the Junior Clubs. No doubt these results will reignite the debate on why are UBL club second xv teams playing in Div 1 and 2 of the Ulster Rugby provincial leagues.

Next Saturday Malone 3rds travel to Ballymacarn Park to play Ballynahinch 5ths in the 2nd Rd of the Crawford Cup before they resume their league programme away to undefeated Dromore 2nds on the 2nd December.