A smaller than usual, but no less enthusiastic, crowd had gathered to watch this entertaining Nutty Krust ten try thriller game, which Omagh won by 33-31 and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
The game was well refereed by Matthew Peak, and his team of Ross Copeland and Jack Coyle, from the USRFR. The Nutty Krust organising committee is grateful to the USRFR for ensuring all the Nutty Krust games are refereed by teams of three who are members of the USRFR.
The Portadown team had built up a 19-10 lead by the interval through tries from Jayden Cassells, Alfie Thornton and Joe Beatty.
Sam Ruddell was successful with two of his first half conversion kicks.
The Omagh team scored two first half tries through Philip Crawford and Josh Irwin.
Ben Dempsey was successful with one of his first half conversion kicks.
The second half saw the Omagh team score three tries through Callan Granleese, Tom Deas and Luke Livingstone.
Ben Dempsey added two more successful conversions to see his team into a, at one stage, 33-19 lead.
However, the Portadown team scored two late game tries through Adam Wallace and Matty Neill.
One Sam Ruddell conversion left the final scoreline reading Portadown U18s 31 Omagh Accies U18s 33.
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.
Richard Jackson, a member of Portadown RFC Nutty Krust Committee, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post-match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Tom Deas, the Omagh Accies centre.
The final of this season’s Nutty Krust Tournament will be played on Wednesday 26th March when the Dungannon FC U18 team will play the Rainey RFC U18 team at 7.30pm.