TWO tries from livewire Damian Campbell helped Old Boys to a 24-14 victory over Connemara at Hatrick Park at the weekend.

However, the home side gave their supporters some anxious moments in the final quarter before securing a win that moves them clear of the bottom of the league.

The Blacks were first to threaten when the opted to kick a penalty to the corner only to lose the lineout ball. This happened several times throughout thematch and was a real factor in Rainey's win.

More good lineout work allowed the Rainey pack to inch their way to the Connamara line, but the Galway men broke out of defence and might have scored had a kick ahead not rolled into touch.

After 18 minutes, out-half O'Toole gave Connemara the lead with a penalty. Rainey replied with McLaughlin kicking into the Westerners' '22', but they just managed to scramble the ball away.

From a lineout, Campbell broke from the maul for Glancy to kick ahead and from the subsequent lineout, the forwards took it on for Campbell to get the touchdown while Glancy added the extras.

No. 8 Cullen - a very talented former England Schools player - put Connemara on the back foot on several occasions, but passing was too often laboured and opprotunites not taken.
Five minutes feom half time, however, came the score Rainey badly needed. Centre McMurray put in a neat grubber kick, forcing a five-metre scrum. Cullen picked up and drove for the line with the supporting Boyle crossing for the try which Glancy converted.

As Rainey went in search of further tries, Glancy had the ball snatched from his grasp five yards out and O'Kane saw his attempted offload intercepted.

The breakthrough finally arrived when Campbell stormed in at the corner after half-backs Wilson and Glancy had probed the narrow side.
A wild pass to McLaughlin put Old boys under pressure in midfield before two kicks were charged down to give Connemara No. 8 a try.

An intercepted Heagney pass saw Connemara gain alot of ground and second row Keogh scored a try which threatened to alter the game entirely.

But as dark clouds rolled in, good field position allowed the Rainey pack to drive for the line and Wilson placed Paul in the corner for a try. This gave Rainey a bonus point but Connemara never let up and fought in vain for a losing bonus point.

Rainey: R Paul, P Suiter, J McMurray, A McLaughlin, N Suiter, M Glancy, M Wilson, P Hawkins, D Campbell, N O'Kane(capt), P Boyle, C Lavery, A Kerr, S McGinnis, G Cullen. Subs: S McDowell, C Heaney, D Dawson, G Martin, E Stewart.

200 Club:
Latest winners are William Paul and Scott McLean.
International tickets: Application forms from Bar Steward. Completed forms must be accompanied by money and forwarded to secretary Paul Flanigan by Saturday 17 November.