A smaller than usual, but no less enthusiastic, crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining Nutty Krust game, which Rainey won by 34-21, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
The game was well refereed by Rory Stewart, and his team of Matthew Shields and Peter Simpson, from the USRFR. The Nutty Krust organising committee is grateful to the USRFR for ensuring all Nutty Krust games are refereed by teams who are members of the USRFR.
The Rainey team had built up a 22-0 lead by the interval through tries from Tristan Purdy, Conor Kennedy, Daniel Ennis McManus and Aaron Buck.
Daniel Ennis McManus added the extras to his try.
The Portadown team displayed a certain amount of bounce-back ability with their second half performance.
Early second half tries from Jaydon Cassells and James Beattie, both of which were converted by Sam Ruddell, saw the Portadown team back into the game with the scoreboard now reading Portadown 14 Rainey 22.
However, the Rainey team responded very positively and Rory Nelson finished off a flowing attack, involving both forwards and backs, with a try in the corner.
Daniel Ennis McManus added the conversion to see his team into a 29-14 lead.
This became 34-14, in favour of Rainey, when the impressive George Stone touched down for an unconverted try in the corner.
However, the Portadown team continued to display a positive attitude and had the final say in the game.
Good work from Tyler Jackson and Oliver Carville took play into the Rainey half.
Sam Ruddell then had the opportunity to display great individual skill using a kick and chase tactic. Sam kicked and subsequently regathered the ball at pace to touch down for a try which he converted.
This left the final scoreboard reading Rainey RFC U18s 34 Portadown U18s 21.
This result ensures the Rainey RFC U18 team has won their group and will now play in the final of the Nutty Krust competition on Wednesday 26th March.
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 colleague, Matthew Wickham, in serving the food. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Gary Jackson, a member of Portadown RFC Nutty Krust Committee and former King’s Scholar RFC and Portadown RFC player, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Conor Kennedy, the Rainey RFC No 9.
