The fourth of this season’s Nutty Krust group stage games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a cool, but dry, Chambers Park when Dungannon FC U18 played the Banbridge RFC U18. A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining Nutty Krust game, which the Banbridge team won by 15-7, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
Included among the many spectators was Jonathon Graham, one of the Ulster Academy Elite Player Development Officers and Ireland U19 Lineout Coach.
The game was well refereed by Alan O’Neill from the USRFR and the Nutty Krust Committee is grateful to the USRFR for ensuring all games are refereed by members of the USRFR.
Dungannon had built up a 7-0 lead, three minutes into the game, when clever work from Ethan Burke and Zac Holmes, paved the way for Harry Gray to touch down for a try. Zac added the extras to secure the 7-0 lead for Dungannon.
Banbridge responded positively to this early set back. Their large pack started to rule proceedings, particularly at lineout time. Ryan McMurray. Emmett Magill, Darragh McCann and Jack Toal impressed with their ball winning and carrying capabilities.
Strong attacking encounters from Banbridge forced the Dungannon defence into conceding several penalties.
Tim Robinson stepped up to convert three of these opportunities to see Banbridge into a 9-7 lead at the break.
Two further penalties from Tim Robinson, midway through the second half, increased the Banbridge lead to 15-7.
Despite these setbacks, Dungannon continued to display great commitment, and no little skill, with players such as Zac Holmes and Patrick Conroy asking questions of the Banbridge defence.
However, Banbridge held firm and the final scoreboard read Dungannon 7 Banbridge 15 at the final whistle.
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, in serving the food. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Syd Rowe, a member of the Nutty Krust Committee and long-time volunteer with Portadown RFC, presented the Nutty Krust “Player of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Player of the Match Award went to Ryan McMurray, the Banbridge RFC U18 No 4.
