And it came to their rescue again on Saturday when two dropped goals helped them to get out of jail against Sunday's Well - who would have run out comfortable winners had full-back Corkery not had a complete off-day with his place-kicking.

Despite having McMurray yellow carded at a crucial stage, they were able to put the ball behind the opposition and hold on for a rather fortunate 26-20 victory which lifts them to sixth place in the table.

With McGinnis, McCrea and Rodney Paul all ruled out, Rainey were down to the bare bones for this encounter which produced little quality rugby yet provided the sunsplashed Hatrick Park crowd with some great entertainment.

The Leesiders were 5-0 up within a minute of the start, working the ball wide from the first lineout of the game for Corkery to cruise through a static home defence.

The Old Boys' pack surged forward from the restart, but a penalty for crossing let the Cork side off the hook. Rainey won plenty of good ball, but failed to vary their tactics which were getting them nowhere.

After 18 minutes another unforced error allowed 'Well out-half O'Brien to put his side into the corner with a raking kick and when forward pressure brought them a penalty Corkery made it 8-0.

Short of lineout options and struggling to do the basics well, Rainey made a surprise breakthrough after 25 minutes when full-back Martin raced in from the 10' line for a very welcome score after slick passing from McMurray, Walsh and Glancy along the touchline.Glancy converted.

From the restart O'Kane took it on with his support bringing play up to the 'Well '22' where Boyle's pass went to ground, but a minute later Glancy landed a fine penalty to put Rainey in front.

A careless pass put Rainey under pressure and when they turned over ball following a scrum in their own '22' the Munster visitors drove forward before moving it out to flanker Rose who went over for an unconverted try.
Five minutes later over elaboration just inside their own half allowed 'Well to hack into space for flanker Tasola to score under the posts.
It could have got worse for Rainey as a strange decision denied 'Well another three points. Having been held up over the line, 'Well were awarded a penalty close to the posts but, while an injured Rainey player was receiving attention, the Leinster referee blew for half-time when he surely should have allowed time for the penalty to be taken.

Four minutes into the second half Rainey got a badly needed boost when Jerome McMurray found a little gap from a scrum. Glancy converted but, from the restart, Rainey declined to put the ball downfield and conceded a silly penalty.

Corkery missed and his afternoon was to turn into a nightmare as he failed with three more good chances.

A good tackle by Walsh foiled 'Well in the corner before an injury to Glancy forced Rainey into moving McMurray to out-half.

As the game entered the final quarter McMurray dropped a towering goal from a lineout to level matters and as 'Well continued to squander chances he struck again when Suiter set up a ruck outside the 'Well 22.
There were eleven minutes of normal time remaining when McMurray was sin-binned for slowing down ruck ball, but hooker Heaney landed a great penalty improve Rainey's position.

'Well threatened with a chip into the '22' which the covering O'Kane dealt with well and with full-back Martin putting the ball behind the opposition Rainey maintained their grip despite a number of decisions going against them.

A clearly disappointed 'Well had to settle for a losing bonus point, the first they have picked up away from Musgrave Park this season.

Team: G.Martin, T. Walsh, Jerome McMurray, Jody McMurray, J. McBride, M. Glancy, R. Paul, S. McDowell, C. Heaney, N.O'Kane, P. Boyle, M. Glendinning, E. Stewart, D. Dawson, A. Kerr.
Replacements: N. Suiter (for Glancy 58) K. Campton (for Glendinning 71)