NUTTY KRUST FLOODLIT TOURNAMENT 2012
The opening fixture of this year’s Nutty Krust Under19’s tournament, sponsored by Irwins Bakery who this year celebrate their centenary, saw Clogher Valley play Lurgan at Chambers Park on Wednesday night.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP CLASS PROFESSIONAL IMAGES from Tony Hendron Digital Photography
On what turned out to be a cold, wet and windy night Clogher Valley, playing with the wind dominated the early proceedings and scored the opening try of the game after 10mins through Out Half Paul Armstrong which he also converted .Following further sustained pressure No 8 Alex Mc Keown ran in the second try after 23mins which was once again converted by out half Armstrong. Lurgan, who started slowly, rallied late in the first half and should have scored close to half time but unfortunately they threw away a 3 man overlap thus leaving the half time score 14-0 in Clogher Valley’s favour.
The second half was a much closer encounter with Lurgan creating a number of try scoring opportunities. Unfortunately for them they failed to finish these off as all too often the final pass went astray or they were turned over at the breakdown, an area dominated by Clogher Valley where Man of The Match , openside flanker Eugene Mc Kenna was prominent. With time ticking away Lurgan were forced to run from deep and following turn overs in the Lurgan half Clogher Valley extended their lead when impressive out half Paul Armstrong scored 2 tries and converted both to stretch his team’s lead to 28-0.
Lurgan, to their credit did not lie down and finished strongly with 2 tries from their outstanding player on the night, Robbie Hannigan, one of which was converted by out half Matthew Johnston leaving the final score 28-12 in Clogher Valley’s favour.
Clogher Valley’s name now goes into the hat for the Quarter Final Draw which will be made on 21st. March.
Next week’s Nutty Krust match will see a local derby when Enniskillen take on Omagh under the Chambers Park lights on Wednesday 15 February in a 19.45 Kick off.
