NUTTY KRUST U19 FLOODLIT TOURNAMENT
Tuesday’s night re arranged fixture in this year’s Nutty Krust Tournament saw Ballymena U19s playing Lurgan’s U19s at Chambers Park for a place in the quarter finals.
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Ballymena kicked off the proceedings on a dry but cold evening and it was Ballymena who had the early possession and territory but could not turn their advantage into points on the board as Lurgan defended their line with turnovers in the loose and strong tackling. Ballymena had the first opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty for offside with no 15 Paul Rainey’s attempt hitting the post and rebounding back into play. Lurgan no 6 Peter burke made a break from his own 22 and strong ruuning took his team up to the Ballymena 10m line. Lurgan were then awarded a penalty taken by outhalf Jordan Mcilwaine which was short of the posts. Lurgan opened the scoring from a tap penalty by scrum half Dylan and a line break saw outhalf feeding Peter Burke scoring in the corner. The resultant conversion was wide . 5-0 to Lurgan . Ballymena centre Thomas Wilson made a couple of mazy runs from his own half but the Lurgan defence held out . The last scoring attempt of the first half was a penalty to Ballymena for not releasing but again Paul Raineys attempt fell short .
Half Time score Lurgan 5 Ballymena 0
The second half saw both teams upping the intensity and again Ballymena got themselves into a scoring position but silly mistakes cost them their chances .Lurgan should have scored from a set piece with an overlap in the corner but the pass went astray. It was Lurgan who increased their lead 14mins into second half with Dean Wilson scoring and the extra point s added by Lurgans no 10. Ballymena responded and from a tap penalty their no 7 Adam Longwell went over the line to reduce the arrears , Paul Rainey;s conversion attempt was wide. Lurgan increased their lead with a penalty scored by Jordan Mcilwaine making the score 15-5 to Lurgan . Ballymena upped the pressure and went looking for another score but resolute defense from Lurgan kept the Braid men out . Lurgan had two players yellow carded and even down to 13 men it was
Lurgan who had the last score with Paddy Mcveigh scoring on the whistle to leave the Final score 20-5 to Lurgan .
Man Of The Match went to Lurgan’s No 10 Jordan Mcilwaine which was Presented by Portadown’s Club chairman Eamon Haughey in the Clubhouse after the match.
Next match is Wednesday 5th March with Dungannon v Randalstown K O 7.45pm and following the game the draw for Quarter Finals will take place in the Clubhouse.
