The Dungannon team started the game in a positive mood and dominated both territory and possession for good periods of the first half. However, the Portadown team with players such as Paddy Woods, David Collins and Ryan Moore to the fore, held firm with their defence.
Through some good work from Paul Anto and Paddy Woods, Portadown had their chances as well to run in for points. However, they found the Dungannon defence to be well-organised with players such as Nigel Matia, Jake Callaghan, Caolan Donaghy and Zak Holmes ensuring their line remained intact.
Close to the break the first try of the night was scored when, following a well worked lineout play, Nigel Matia took advantage of a break from Zak Holmes to run in for a try. Zak then added the extras to see the Dungannon team into a 7-0 break at the interval.
Early in the second half the same Dungannon players combined to send Nigel Matia in for his second try of the evening. This time the try was unconverted but the Tyrone men had built up a 12-0 lead.
That Dungannon lead then became 17-0 when Eoghan Donnelly ran a blindside line to touch down for an unconverted try. The pressure stayed in the Portadown Red Zone and Brooklyn Fletcher gathered a loose defensive kick and scrambled over the whitewash for a try. Zak Holmes added the conversion to see the Dungannon team into a bonus point 24-0 lead.
The Portadown team responded positively and great play from David Collins, which included a 70m break out of defence, took play deep into into the Dungannon half. Following an attacking 5m scrum, Paddy Woods put in a cross-field kick pass which was eventually gathered by Ryan Moore who touched down for a try. David Collins added the extras to see the deficit deservedly reduced to 24-7.
However, it was the Dungannon team that had the final say of the game. Zak Holmes capped a fine personal display when he chipped the Portadown defence, regathered his kick and touched down for a try. Zak added the conversion to secure the 31-7 victory for the Dungannon U18 team at the no-side whistle.
Ian Wray, a former Portadown and Ulster U23 player, Past-President and current Chairman of Portadown Rugby Club, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony to Zak Holmes, the Dungannon U18 team No 10.
The third of this season’s Nutty Krust group stage games will be played on Wednesday 15th February when the Banbridge RFC U18 team will play the Rainey RFC U18 team at 7-45pm.