The game was played under the floodlights at a cool, but dry, Chambers Park. A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch another entertaining Nutty Krust game, which Banbridge won by 22-0, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
Included in the spectators watching the game were Jonathon Graham, Ulster Rugby Pathway Development Coach and Ireland U19/U20 Development Assistant coach and Keith Patton, former King’s Scholars RFC and Dungannon FC player and RS Dungannon, Ulster and Irish Schools’ coach.
It was the Banbridge team that started the game in a positive mood and controlled the territory for the opening period of time early the first half. Following pressure on the Dungannon line, Banbridge opened the scoring with a fine try from Jack Toal who touched down in the corner following a well-organised driven maul from his fellow forwards. The try was not converted but the Banbridge team had established a 5-0 lead.
Dungannon then got some possession and made in roads to the Banbridge defensive zone. Good work from Nigel Mataia and Sione Tu’ungafasi forced the Banbridge defence into conceding a penalty but the resultant shot at goal fell agonisingly short.
Close to the interval the Banbridge team increased their lead to 10-0 when Denis Kerr, Conor Corrigan and Frank Doherty combined to take play deep into Dungannon territory. Jack Toal got possession and, following good work from Jack, Jack Bell was released to touch down for an unconverted try.
The Dungannon team started the second half strongly and good work from Jacob Clarke, Cameron Shaw, Jamie Gildernew and Zac Holmes was thwarted by the Banbridge defence with Pearce Magill, Emmett Magill and Ben O’Rourke to the fore.
A long clearance kick from Denis Kerr, followed by an effective kick chase from his team mates, ensured that the Banbridge team secured possession. Quick ruck ball was well used by Denis Kerr and Kailen Cantley who the sent James Waddell in for an unconverted try to increase the Banbridge lead to 15-0.
This became 22-0 with little time remaining when, following a scrum 20m out, good work from Jack Toal saw Emmett Magill secure possession and run strongly to touch down for a try. Denis Kerr was successful with the conversion kick to secure the 22-0 win and, with it, the Nutty Krust Trophy for the Banbridge RFC U18 team.
Included in the crowd attending the post-match reception were Philip Gregg, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU and Greg Irwin, Chairman of the Ulster Branch Rugby Committee.
Greg presented the referee, Andrew Pyper, and his assistants, Mark Baxter and Stuart Campbell, with mementoes of the occasion. Philip then presented the Nutty Krust Player of the Match Award to Jack Toal, the Banbridge RFC U18 team No 8.
Philip and Greg also presented the Nutty Krust 2023 finalists medals to players from both teams and, at the end of the evening, Brian Irwin, Chairman of Irwin’s Bakery, producers of the Nutty Krust brand, and Philip, presented the TC Wells Nutty Krust Trophy to Darragh McCann, captain of the victorious Banbridge U18 team.
