Nutty Krust Tournament Portadown U18’s v Rainey Old Boys’ U18’s Wednesday 19th February 2020
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The third of this season’s quarter-final games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18Tournament under the floodlights at a cold but moist Chambers Park when the Portadown U18 team played the Rainey Old Boys’ U18 team on Wednesday evening. The Rainey team recorded a well contested 43-15 victory with the scoreboard having read 12-10 in their favour at 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 was a member of the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department.
The Portadown U18 team started the game well and made good use of the wind in their backs. Adam Speers, Adam Watt and Marshall Clint made good use of the quality possession their forwards were providing and they forced the Rainey team into conceding an early penalty. Joe Partridge converted the penalty to give the Portadown team a 3-0 lead with just five minutes on the clock. Five minutes later this lead was extended to 10-0 when Adam Speers spotted a space behind the Rainey defence and drilled the ball into the corner. Portadown got possession from the resultant lineout and players such as the impressive Will Turbitt, Ryan Neill and Philip Shirley drove the ball effectively towards the Rainey line. Quick ruck ball ensued and Marshall Clint presented Joe Partridge with the opportunity to touch down for a try. Joe added the conversion to see his team into a comfortable 10-0 lead. The Rainey team responded well with Callum Donnelly and Ben McDonald carrying strongly deep into Portadown territory. Just when it looked as if the Rainey team was about to score the ball was turned over and a fine kick from Adam Speers relieved the pressure. Back came the Rainey team once again with Ben, Callum and Callum McGlone to the fore. Once again the Rainey attempts to score were thwarted with Will Turbitt and Ryan Neill working hard to keep their line intact. However, in the final ten minutes of the first half the Rainey team was rewarded for their endeavours. Ryan Harkness took advantage of good work from his pack following a lineout and he touched down for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 10-5. With almost the last play of the first half Abban McCloy started things off with a great run out from his defensive line. Play was taken deep into Portadown territory where the home team conceded a lineout. The Rainey team won the ball and, following several phases of play, Ben Mc Donald crashed over the line to touch down for a try. Adam Brown added the extras to see the Rainey team into a 12-10 lead at the interval.
The second half started with the wind behind the Rainey team. They used the wind to good effect with Adam Brown and Ben McDonald pinning the Portadown team back with some effective kicking. The arrival on the pitch of Seb Hastings saw the Rainey team gain more quality possession which they made good use off. Ben McDonald took advantage of some good handling from his colleagues and he touched down for his second try of the game. Adam Brown converted the try to see the Rainey team into a 19-10 lead. This lead was extended to 26-10 when a Portadown player intercepted the ball and set off at great speed for the Rainey line. However, he was adjudged to have intercepted the ball from an off-side position and play was brought back. The Rainey team took a quick penalty and, two passes later, Abban McCloy scored a try in the corner which Adam Brown converted. The Portadown team responded in a very positive manner. Philip Shirley, Marshall Clint and Adam Watt all combined with some good plays to send Will Turbitt in for an unconverted try and reduce the Portadown deficit to 26-15. A few minutes later Adam Brown converted a penalty opportunity for the Rainey team to send them into a 29-15 lead. The final ten minutes of the game saw the Rainey team take the upper hand despite the best efforts of Portadown players such as Ben Mackey and Richard Herron. Abban McCloy showed great pace when he chased down a Rainey kick and touched down for a try. Adam Brown added the conversion to put the Rainey team into a 36-15 lead. Portadown then launched one final attack but, unfortunately for them, the ball was dropped close to the Rainey line. The Rainey team broke out of defence quickly and good handling skills, combined with some clever off-loads, led to Tom Crozier finishing things off with a try under the Portadown posts. Adam Brown added the conversion to secure the 43-15 victory for the Rainey RFC U18 team.
The Rainey U18 team will next play the winners of the Clogher Valley v Malone quarter-final game in the second of the Nutty Krust semi-final games on Wednesday 10th March.
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, and organised by the ever present Sid Rowe, assisted by Matthew Wickham. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Clive Bowles, immediate Past President of Portadown RFC a member of the Nutty Krust Committee, and current President of the NAS/UWT, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Ben McDonald, the Rainey RFC U18 No 8.
The final match in the quarter-final games in the 2020 Nutty Krust Tournament will see the Clogher Valley U18 team play the Malone U18 team at 7-45pm on Wednesday 26th February under the Chambers Park floodlights. All supporters and visitors will be made to feel very welcome.
