The sixth, and final, 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 when the Omagh Academicals RFC U18 team played the Banbridge RFC U18 team on Wednesday evening.
A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining game, which Banbridge won by 17-8, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
Included among the spectators watching the game were Ian Wray, Chairman of Portadown RFC and Alex Waugh, a recent Past President of Banbridge RFC.
The game was well refereed by Jo Stafford from the USRFR and the Nutty Krust Committee is grateful to the USRFR for ensuring all the games were refereed by members of the USRFR.
Omagh had built up a 5-0 lead three minutes into the game, when clever work from Sam Beattie and Corey Nugent, paved the way for Matthew Kerr to touch down for an unconverted try, to secure the 5-0 lead for the Omagh team.
Banbridge responded positively to this early set back. Their large pack started to rule proceedings, particularly at lineout time. Emmett Magill, Pearce Magill and Darragh McCann impressed with their ball winning and carrying capabilities.
This paved the way for Jacques McAuley to run in for a try, which was converted by Tim Robinson, to see Banbridge into a 7-5 lead.
Just before the break, Omagh regained the lead, when good pressure from the Omagh defence forced Banbridge into conceding a penalty. Up stepped Corey Nugent to slot the kick and put his team into an 8-7 lead.
Ten minutes into the second half, Banbridge scored their second try of the game when Jack Toal barged his was over for an unconverted try and see his team into a 12-8 lead.
Omagh responded positively with Oisin Horne, Isaac Rainey, Sam Beattie and Corey Nugent central to all their attacks.
However, the Banbridge defence held firm which then enabled the team to take control of both territory and possession.
This approach paid off and resulted in a third Banbridge try when the impressive Addison Kennedy touched down for an unconverted to see his team into a 17-8 lead which they maintained until the no-side 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.
Barney McGonigle, a member of the Nutty Krust Committee presented the Nutty Krust “Player of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Player of the Match Award went to Addison Kennedy, the Banbridge RFC U18 Flanker. In his absence, the award was received by Darragh McCann.
The Nutty Krust Final, featuring Rainey RFC and Banbridge RFC, will take place at Chambers Park on Wednesday 27 March at 7.30pm.
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.
