Tuesday night saw the final match of this years Nutty krust floodlit Tournament played at Chambers Park Portadown with local rivals Banbridge playing Portadown for the T.C. Wells Cup.On a perfect evening for rugby the large crowd were well entertained with a competitive and compelling game .
Banbridge kicked off playing into a slight breeze and after 2 mins of play thought they had opened the scoring with a try under the posts but play was brought back for a penalty after a forward pass. Macauley Little’s attempt went wide . Portadown started to come more into the game and were awarded a penalty in their own half and from the lineout take by Ryan Purvis drove over the line with Justin Allen coming up with the ball to score the opening try of the night. Graeme Currie added the conversion . Banbridge replied almost immeadiatley from the kick off and with some good ball handling in the backs opened up Portadown’s defence for Macauley Little to score under the posts. The same player added the extra points. Graeme Currie had a chance on 15mins to extend Portadown’s lead from just inside the Banbridge half with a penalty attempt but was just wide. On 19mins Portadown from a penalty kicked into the corner the lineout and drive saw Ryan Turner scoring for Portadown after good work by the forwards to drive over the line. Graeme Currie converted .Greame Currie had a further chance to extend the lead on 32 mins but his attempt went wide. Banbridge levelled the score just before half time from a scrum in the middle of the park ,and the back line ran through Portadown’s defence with no 4 stuart Walker scoring under the posts. The extra points were added by Macauley Little.
Half time score banbridge 14 Portadown 14.
Banbridge made 3 changes in the second half with Thomas Carlisle, Matthew McDonald and Peter Cromie all coming off the bench to add their presence to the game and it was Banbridge who had a chance to move into the lead with a penalty after 10 mins but Macauley Little’s attempt went wide. Banbrigde had more of the play and their back line was causing problems for Portadown but their defence held firm. Portadown had a break from their own 22 when Harry Anderson broke clear but was bundled into touch . Banbridge upped the pressure in the final 10 mins and eventually were rewarded a score for their efforts, when from a lineout in the corner Kenny Wiltshire crossed the line to score . The conversion attempt from Macauley Little was wide. The final score of the game went to Banbridge when Macauley Little slotted over a penalty for Portadown being offside.
Final score Banbridge 22 Portadown 14
Both sets of players and coaches have to complimented on what was an entertaining and excellent game of rugby played in the right spirit, Banbridge in the end were worthy winners on the night and lifted the T C Wells Cup as this years winners of the Nutty Krust 2013
Man of the Match award went to Banbridge,s no 5 Kyle Mcconnell which was presented to him by Nigel Brady Ulster forward after the match .
