17/01/2026   Match report Boyne 2nd XV v Suttonians 2nd XV   with thanks to  Alex Cassidy 

Sutton Eagles found themselves without talisman Jamie Lyons in the back row and influential Ivor Cuddy in the backfield. The conditions compounded their difficulties, as it was torrential rain from the get-go. 

Boyne struck early with some fast-attacking play, creating a Sutton overlap out wide, allowing Jonah Nelson to cross over in the early minutes. Tony Smith was unsuccessful in adding the extras. Boyne kept sustained pressure in the Sutton end and not long after, backrow Rory Hennessy crossed the chalk after a quick tap penalty to give the hosts a 10–0 lead. 

Boyne continued dominating the early stages of the half as they won a penalty off the kick-off. Hennessy was yet again menacing with his carrying. Boyne spread the ball wide, only for Josh Hansen, fresh into the squad this week, to make a crucial cover tackle. Captain David Johnston halted another Boyne attack when he put a thunderous hit on his opposite number. 

Sutton gradually found a foothold. A clever box kick from David Traynor put the Boyne backfield under stress, and Shane Patterson got his hands dirty in a breakdown turnover. However, a golden opportunity went begging when they couldn’t win the resulting lineout. 

Boyne cleared their lines and not long later, outside centre Oisin Cummins split through to cross under the posts. Smith added his first conversion of the afternoon to give his side a 17–0 lead. 

Sutton responded well. Patterson pinpointed a grubber down the throat of Boyne, forcing them to kick the ball dead, giving Sutton a 5m scrum. Thomas “Mustard” O’Kane would dot down in the corner after some promising attacking rugby. Conor Reilly pushed his kick wide. 

Boyne won a penalty on the stroke of half-time, kicking three points to extend their lead at the break. 

The opening 20 minutes of the second half were a stalemate. Sutton went close on a couple of occasions, but Boyne’s breakdown work shut down any potential scores. 

As the rain continued to pour down, Boyne introduced fresh reinforcements, making the encounter more difficult for the visitors. A kick deep into Sutton territory earned the home side another score when Hansen couldn’t gather the ball, allowing Daniel O’Neill to extend the lead. 

The home side would enjoy a ten-minute period late on, running in two more scores. Boyne went close again, but a superb chase-down by second row Conor Stokes prevented a sure try. 

Sutton were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Guillermo Neto barrelled over to earn a well-deserved try. However, Boyne had the final say, running in one last try in the dying minutes. 

Scorers: Suttonians Tries Thomas O’Kane, Guillermo Neto 

Boyne: Tries: Jonah Nelson, Rory Hennessy, Liam McEneaney, Dan O’Neill, Bradley Abbedeen, Oisin Cummins and David Maxwell


Next Up : Away to DLSP Saturday 24/01/2026 @ 2pm Jim Byrne Cup Semi Final