RUGBY: GOOD NEWS AT LAST FOR OLD BOYS

WHILE the more important business of the AIL is still a few weeks away, Rainey Old Boys are now well into their pre-season training and will have their first taste of competitive rugby when Qualifying 1 side Clogher Valley come to Hatrick Park on Saturday for the annual Derek Lee Memorial Trophy match.

Then, after travelling to Omagh for a friendly, they face Queen's on successive Saturdays at the Dub in Ulster Cup and League games. They have the luxury of a blank date on September 10 before opening their Division 2 C campaign at Bangor. Boyne,from Drogheda,come to Magherafelt on September 24.

Hell bent on improving on last season's nightmare run, Rainey thought that they had struck gold when they clinched an overseas signing, a young Simoan out-half playing senior club rugby in Perth, Western Australia.

Going by his promotional video,he certainly looked a very accomplished player.  Having represented his country at Under 20 and "A" levels,he was looking forward to extending his experience in Europe with a view to making a career in professional rugby. But,both he and Rainey were devastated when news came through a few weeks later that, due to a sudden family bereavement, he would be returning home and not coming here. He has said that he would come here next year, if required.

Nevertheless, Rainey can still look ahead with optimism. Ricky Andrew, thanks to a timely word of encouragement from Luke Marshall, has come on board to assist coach John Andrews.

Still only 26 years old, he made several appearances for Ulster at full-back when Jared Payne was out of action two years ago and acquitted himself more than well. Last season he played for Nottingham in the Championship. Hatrick Park regulars may recall him scoring two sparkling solo tries for Ballymena at the ground. He is likely to play at centre for the Old Boys who picked up another gem when former Malone captain Johnny Burgess announced that he was chomping at the bit to return to action having sat out all of last season with a hip injury.

Rainey stalwart Paul Flanigan put him in touch with the Tyrone GAA physio who has given him the green light to give it a go and, by all accounts, the pair have looked very sharp in training.Burgess played a number of games for Ulster "A" not that long ago and this strong midfield partnership should help the side to notch up the vital bonus points that never came their way last season.

With Neil O'Kane now retired, former Rainey Endowed captain Luke Steele has come along at just the right time. The well-built tight-head, a regular with Queen's in recent seasons, will be a key figure.

The departure of Joe Roe left a gap that has quickly been filled. South African George Fritz,who really enjoyed his time in Magherafelt three years ago, is said to be on his way.  The ball-playing little hooker played Currie Cup rugby for Western Province very recently and will be a very popular addition to the squad. Efforts to lure new talent are ongoing and the possibility of adding two or three more new players who have been spoken to cannot be ruled out.

Ballymena lad Andrew Harbinson had just managed to hold down a regular place in the team and was one of the first names on the teamsheet, in fact, when he stopped playing three years ago.

The return of the ball-carrying flanker is another boost. And several other very talented young lads are back playing again and should be raring to go in the near future.

A lot of sterling work has been put in at underage level over the years, with Rainey now ranked second in Ulster. Many of their young stars have either picked up representative honours or been invited to join development squads.

It is imperative, therefore, that these lads are encouraged to keep training and receiving good coaching.  A chronic injury situation in the club last season meant that second fifteen coach Damien Campbell often had to call on players straight from underage rugby since most of the players down the club were not interested in attending training.  These lads surpassed themselves and a few of them even sampled a taste of senior rugby towards the end of the season.

Any young player aspiring to play at the top end of the Junior League must be fit and would develop further with good coaching.

There will, of course, always be a place for older, more experienced hands, who don't relish the thought of training, but would like a run out on a Saturday.

If numbers warrant it, and players make themselves consistently available, some Minor friendlies can be arranged.

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

Rainey OB      v        Clogher Valley -  2.30

Rainey OB 2     v       Clogher Valley 2 -  1.00 ( TBC)