NUTTY KRUST FLOODLIT TOURNAMENT 2014
The first semi final of this year’s Nutty Krust tournament was played Wednesday night at Chamber’s Park Portadown with holders Banbridge playing Dungannon for a place in the final. Both teams served up a try feast for the large crowd watching with conditions perfect for open and flowing rugby.
Banbridge started the game on the attack and threatened the Dungannon line on a number of occasions but a strong Dungannon defence kept them at bay . Dungannon then hacked the ball up field taking the play to the Banbridge line were no 5 John O’kane scored under the posts and converted by Marcus Mulgrew against the run of play . (8mins)
This score gave Dungannon confidence and they attacked the Banbridge line from the kick off , on 12 mins with some great play with the backs and forwards interlinking led to another Dungannon score with Marcus Mulgrew scoring in the corner which he duly added the extra points 14-0 to Dungannon .Banbridge went on the attack and replied with a score from a lineout near the Dungannon line and from a driving maul no 8 Adam Kelly scored and Aaron Kennedy slotted over the conversion from the touchline.
Banbridge continued to press forward and on 20 mins a great line from Aaron kennedy almost led to a score but from the ruck no 10 Mcauley Little picked up and went over to score on the 15m line. Aaron kennedy added the extra points. Banbridge continued to run the ball at every opportunith and on 25mins played no 14 Kerr Patterson scored in the corner to give Bann the lead for the first time in the game , the conversion was added again by Aaron Kennedy 21-14 to Banbridge. . From the restart the Bann out halh danced thru the dungannon defence to set up Ben Cross to score , this time Aaron kennedy;s attempt was short. 23-14 Bannbridge. From the restart dungannon were awarded a penalty the attempt at the posts fell short and Banbridge cleared to the halfway line , from the lineout Dungannon spread the ball wide and a good break and pass by scrum half ross Devlin led to matthew Montgomery scoring in the corner , with Marcus Mulgrew slotting over the conversion. On the stroke of half time dungannon backs strayed offside at lineout allowing Bann full back Aaron Kennedy to stretch the lead to 29-21 bringing a pulsating first half to a close.
Half Time Score dungannon 21 Bannbridge 21
With players and spectators having drawn there breath at halftime everyone was waiting to see what both teams would dish up in the second half . 5 mins into the half Dungannon were awarded a penalty try by Ref gary Trainor after no 11 Wiremy Terange made a good run and chip through but was illegally impeded by a Banbridge player and again Marcus Mulgrew added the extra points 29-28 to Bann . Dungannon had an opportunity to regain the lead after 8mins played of the second half when awarded a pen but the attempt was wide of the posts. 17mins played dungannon went into the lead with a long range penalty taken by Marcus Mulgrew. 31-28 Dungannon . With just 10 mins of the game left a kick ahead bounced kindly for the Dungannon centre Wiremy Terange to score in the corner , conversion attempt missed. Bannbridge hit back and following a period of sustained pressure on the Dungannon line n0 4 Stuart Walker went over to reduce the arrears , the conversion attempt which would have brought the scores level went wide. 36-34 Dungannon . From the restart dungannon went on the attack again and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Marcus Mulgrew slotted over the final score of the game 39-34 to Dungannon .
Final Score Dungannon 39 Bannbridge 34
Both Teams are to complemented for there standard of play and the spirit in which the game was played , a highly entertaining game and a great advert for youth rugby .
The Man of the Match awarded went to Dungannon’s scrum half Ross Devlin which was presented in the clubhouse after the Match by Niall Collen President Portadown Rugby Club
Next Match is the second semi final 16th April 7.45pm with Larne v Malone
The Nutty Krust Final will be held on Wednesday 30th April
