The first of this season’s group stage games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a cool, but dry, Chambers Park where Dungannon U18 played Omagh U18. A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining Nutty Krust game, which Dungannon won by 38-5, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
The game was well refereed by Matthew Shields from the USRFR and the Nutty Krust Committee is grateful to the USRFR for ensuring all the games are refereed by members of the USRFR.
Dungannon had built up a 12-0 lead by the interval through tries from Harry Gray, and Patrick Conroy, with Zac Holmes adding one successful conversion.
Omagh started the second half strongly with players such as Tom Graham, David Millar, Tom Deas and Shea to the fore. However, the well organised Dungannon defence ensured that, at that stage of the game, the whitewash was not crossed.
Dungannon then started to control both territory and possession and scored their third try of the game when John Carroll carried strongly before touching down for a try which Zac Holmes converted to see his team into a 19-0 lead.
Three quick tries from Blake Redmond, with a brace, and Timothy Clarke alongside two Zac Holmes conversions, gave the Dungannon team an unassailable 38-0 with little time remaining.
Omagh Academicals U18 had contributed a lot to the game and got some reward for their endeavours when, following a rare second half intrusion into the Dungannon “Red” zone, Corey Nugent and Isaac Rainey combined to send Isaac into the corner where he touched down for an unconverted try.
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.
Clive Bowles, a member of Portadown RFC Nutty Krust Committee and former Ulster Youth coach, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Player of the Match Award went to Patrick Conroy, the Dungannon FC U18 No 12.
