Nutty Krust Tournament Portadown U18’s v Malone U18’s 25th January 2017
The first of this season’s games in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament took place under the floodlights at a crisp and dry Chambers Park when Portadown U18’s and Malone U18’s played in the preliminary round game on Wednesday evening. The Malone U18 team recorded a 41-7 victory having built up a 19-7 lead by the break. A sizeable crowd had gathered to watch an entertaining game which featured quite a few talented players on both teams. Among the group watching the game were representatives from some of the Ulster Rugby Age Grade Management teams.
Both teams started the game intent on playing positive rugby. The Malone team took a 5-0 lead when James Rae crashed over for an unconverted try with just seven minutes on the clock. The young Portadown team replied with a try from Stuart Rainey, which Brandon Gribben converted, to give the home side a 7-5 lead. Midway through the first half Jack Knox ran in for a Malone try, which James Rae converted, to see his team into a 12-7 lead. This became 19-7 just before the break when the same two players repeated their points scoring feats.
Despite some great defence from the very spirited Portadown team, with players such as Jack Murphy, Paddy Lunn and Andrew Hollywood getting through a lot of work, the Malone U18 team ran the ball at every opportunity. Eleven minutes into the second half Taylor Pollock scored a try, which Thomas Quinn converted, to increase their lead to 26-7. Six minutes later this became 31-7 when Liam Cosgrave touched down for an unconverted try. The Portadown team had opportunities for points with players such as Darren Campbell and Brandon Gribben displaying good decision making skills and Harry Wortley, Brent Magwood, Andrew Trimble, Andrew O’Connor and Gareth Gardiner showing some elusive running skills. However, they found a Malone defence that was well-organised by Niall McKeating and in no mood to give anything away. Malone sealed their 41-7 victory when Jack Knox and “Man of the Match” Niall McKeating touched down for two unconverted tries at the end of a very entertaining game.
As usual with the Nutty Krust Tournament the players all received a post-match meal which was sponsored by Jim Hewitt Meats, prepared by the staff in “Scrummies” kitchen, organised by the ever present Sid Rowe and distributed by members of the Nutty Krust Committee. All players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
The immediate Past President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, Bobby Stewart, presented the impressive Malone No10, Niall McKeating, with the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The “Man of the Match Award” was received on behalf of Niall by one of his team mates.
The first of the First Round group stage games in the 2017 Nutty Krust Tournament will feature Dungannon U18’s v Ballymena U18’s at 7-45 pm on Wednesday 1st February. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome
