A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining, closely contested game, which Dungannon won by 12-7, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
The game was well refereed by Paul Morris, assisted by Peter Simpson and Robbie Mitchell from the USRFR and the Nutty Krust organising committee is grateful for ensuring all the games are refereed by members of the USRFR.
Dungannon had taken a 7-0 lead when, having survived some heavy Banbridge attacks, they broke out of defence with a fine touchline penalty kick, to set up camp in the opposition “Red Zone”.
Following a well-practiced lineout drill, the impressive Jacob Tate took full advantage of some quick ball recycling and crashed over the whitewash for a try.
James Adamson added the extras with a well-struck conversion kick.
Banbridge responded positively and took play deep into Dungannon territory. A series of attacks on the Dungannon line, led by Don Farrell and Nazie James Mulligan, were only thwarted by the decisive tackling skills of players such as Jacob Tate, Joshua Girvan and Eli McKirgan.
Despite controlling both territory and possession for a long period of time, Banbridge were unable to score, and the teams turned around at the interval with Dungannon still 7-0 ahead.
Dungannon started the second half strongly and increased their lead to 12-0 when James Adamson took advantage of some good work from players such as Ross McMahon and Harry Finlay before touching down for an unconverted try.
Midway through the second period of play the Banbridge team took play deep into Dungannon territory. This time, they got some reward for their endeavours when, following a quick tapped penalty, Macauley McCandless Woodside touched down for a try, to which Tim Robinson added the extras, to reduce the Banbridge arrears to 7-12.
The Banbridge team set about launching a series of attacks on the Dungannon line but the Dungannon defence held firm. This ensured it was the Dungannon team that finished this first Nutty Krust game of the 2024/25 season with a 12-7 win.
As usual with the Nutty Krust Tournament, the players all received a post-match meal which was sponsored by Hewitt Meats, prepared by the staff in “Flat Dogs Gourmet Food” Restaurant, and organised by Ryan, the Flat Dogs proprietor. Ryan was assisted by his Flat Dog colleagues, including his father, Tom and Matthew Wickham, in serving the food. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Peter Nelson, a former Royal School, Dungannon, Ulster, Ireland U19 and current Dungannon FC and Canada World Cup player, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Jacob Tate, the Dungannon FC U18 No 7.
The second of this season’s Nutty Krust Tournament games will be played on Wednesday 26th February when the Rainey RFC U18 team will play the Omagh Accies RFCU18 team at 7-45pm in the first of the Group B games.
All visitors and supporters to the game will be made to feel very welcome and are invited to use the Portadown RFC facilities before and after the game.
