Snippet…. This seemed to spur the Dungannon team into action and, on their first real venture into the Rainey 22m area, Alex Kennedy spun his way out several attempted tackles to touch down for the try. Zak Holmes added the extras to reduce the Dungannon deficit to 14-7. Despite a number of attacks from both teams the defences held out and there were no further scores in the remainder of the first period of play…. see the full story below
Nutty Krust Tournament Dungannon U18’s v Rainey Old Boys’ RFC U18’s Wednesday 16th March 2022
The sixth, and final, of this season’s Nutty Krust group stage games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a cool, but dry, Chambers Park when the Dungannon U18 team played the Rainey U18 team on Wednesday evening. Both teams were playing in their second Nutty Krust games of the 21/22 Tournament. With Portadown RFC U18’s having already qualified for the final on Wednesday 30th March this game was a matter of winner takes all to see who would join Portadown in the final. A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch another entertaining Nutty Krust game, which Dungannon won by 27-19, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
It was the Rainey team that started the game in a positive mood and opened the scoring with an intercept try from Caolin MacInfhirleigh. Louis Regan added the conversion to see the Rainey team into a 7-0 lead. A short time later the score became 14-0 when, following a series of powerful runs from the Rainey forwards, with Calum Clarke and Shea McIvor to the fore, Josh McMullan touched down for a try which was converted Louis Regan.
This seemed to spur the Dungannon team into action and, on their first real venture into the Rainey 22m area, Alex Kennedy spun his way out several attempted tackles to touch down for the try. Zak Holmes added the extras to reduce the Dungannon deficit to 14-7. Despite a number of attacks from both teams the defences held out and there were no further scores in the remainder of the first period of play.
From the restart the Dungannon team regained control of the ball and forced the Rainey defence into conceding a penalty. The resultant kick went to the corner and, following a clever set piece move, the Rainey captain, Fintan Loughran ran round the front of the maul to touch the ball down for an unconverted try. With the scoreboard now reading Dungannon 12 Rainey 14 it was game on! Two minutes later, following a great lineout take by Tim Clarke, it was that man Fintan Loughran who got his hands on the ball again at the back of the driven maul. Fintan controlled the drive and was rewarded when he touched down for another unconverted try to see the Dungannon team into a 17-14 lead.
Rainey came back strongly and good work from Louis Regan, Craig Thornton and Ryan McKendry forced the penalty from the Dungannon team. A quick tap and go almost paid off for Mark Lee but two phases later, great work from Eoghan Donnelly at the breakdown, saw the Dungannon team relieve the pressure on their line.
Coming out of defence Fintan Loughran carried strongly and evaded several tackles to set the Dungannon team into a strong attacking position. Alex Kennedy, Jack McAree and Zak Holmes combined to send Jake Callaghan in for an unconverted try to see the Dungannon team extend their lead to 22-14.
The Rainey team responded strongly and ran the ball effectively from a scrum in the Dungannon half. Craig Thornton beat two defenders before touching down for an unconverted try to reduce the Rainey arrears to 22-19.
However, it was the Dungannon team that had the final say in the game. A clever grubber kick from Jack McAree was gathered by Thomas McGuigan who touched down for an unconverted try. This try left the final score reading Dungannon FC U18’s 27 Rainey Old Boys’ RFC U18’s 19 at the end of this exciting Nutty Krust 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 “Flat Dogs Gourmet Food” Restaurant, and organised by Ryan, the Flat Dogs proprietor. Ryan was assisted by his Flat Dog colleagues in serving the food. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Clive Bowles, a former Portadown RFC player and coach, and former Club Chairman, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Fintan Loughran, the Dungannon FC U18 team Captain and No 2.
The final of this season’s Nutty Krust Tournament will be played on Wednesday 30th March when the Portadown RFC U18 team will play the Dungannon FC U18 team at 7-30pm. Both teams recorded bonus point victories in their previous outings in the Nutty Krust Tournament this season so expectations are building for a very exciting Nutty Krust Tournament final.
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.
