Nutty Krust Final Armagh U18s v Dungannon U18s Wednesday 26th April 2017
The final of the 2017 Nutty Krust Tournament took place at Chambers Park on Wednesday evening when Armagh U18s played Dungannon U18s in an outstanding game of age grade rugby. The Armagh team, having built a 29-12 lead by the interval, went on to win the game by 41-26. The game, the last one in the current series of matches, was played in front an enthusiastic band of supporters from both clubs all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
Ulster Rugby has given great support to the Nutty Krust tournament over the years and this year was no exception. Jonny Gillespie, Talent ID Manager for Ulster Rugby, and Michael Black, Age Grade Manager for Ulster Rugby, have been regular in their attendance at the games since January and both were present at the final. On the occasion of the final on Wednesday night, Senior Vice President of the Ulster Branch, Graffin Parke, was present as were, Ulster Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, Ulster and Ireland Captain and British and Irish Lion’s player, Rory Best who were joined by Ulster player, Wiehahn Herbst.
The game got off to a flying start when the Armagh winger, Michael Savage, ran in for a try. Cormac Fox added the conversion to see his team into a 7-0 lead. The Dungannon team responded immediately when Nico Aholele ran in for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 7-5. Despite some strong defence from the Dungannon team, with Jonah Mau’u, Josh Patton and Conor McGeough impressing, the Armagh team scored the next try. Cormac Fox, Glen Faloon and Barry Finn combined to send Niall McKee in for an unconverted try which increased the Armagh lead to 12-5. Midway through the half this was increased to 17-5 when Glen Faloon and Shea O’Brien combined to send Michael Savage in for his second try of the game. Back came the Dungannon team with Nico Aholele, James Gamble and Jonah Mau’u carrying strongly before releasing Carl Bell in for a try. Conor McGeough added the conversion to see the arrears reduced to 17-12. Five minutes later Ryan Morton and James Mallon laid the foundations for Cormac Fox and Michael Savage to send Shea O’Brien in for an unconverted try to see the Armagh team into a 22-12 lead. Just before the interval this became 29-12 when Chris Jennings took full advantage of good work from Aaron Kennedy, George Hadnett and Shea O’Brien and ran in for a try which was converted by Cormac Fox.
The pace and excitement of the game did not slacken in the second half. Two minutes into the second period Aaron Kennedy carried strongly and was tackled by Josh Patton. From the ensuing ruck quick ball was produced which was cleverly used by the impressive Nathan Rogers. Nathan found John Mallon with a great pass and John finished with an unconverted try to increase the Armagh lead to 34-12. Dungannon responded with good carries from Conor Coyle, Nico Aholele, Jonah Mau’u and Aaron Perry. They forced the Armagh team into conceding a penalty but lost the resultant 5m lineout. The Armagh team then launched an attack with Shea O’Brien and Chris Jennings to the fore. They made great ground but clever scramble defence from Luke Roche and Peter Lowe relieved the pressure for the Dungannon team. Shea O’Brien then hit a great line from an Armagh lineout and finished his run off with a try. Joel Scott added the extras to increase the Armagh lead to 41-12. Dungannon then responded with two quick tries from Nico Aholele and Jonah Manu’u, both of which were converted by Conor McGeough, to reduce the deficit to 41-26. The last ten minutes of the game saw the Dungannon team launch a series of attacks but the Armagh defence was well-organised. They saw the game through but there was a certain relief when the final whistle sounded and this saw the Armagh team through as 41-26 winners at the end of this spectacular eleven try fest Nutty Krust final.
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. All players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Ulster Branch Senior Vice-President, Graffin Parke, made presentations to the referee, Stephen Robinson, and his touch judges, in recognition of their astute handling of the game. Les Kiss then presented the Man of the Match Award to the Armagh scrum half, Nathan Rogers. Les spoke with the players and congratulated them all on their performances during the game. He encouraged them to keep developing their skill sets and to maintain their involvement in the game as they move through to the senior ranks in their clubs. Wiehahn Herbst then presented the Dungannon players with their Nutty Krust finalist’s plaques. Rory Best presented the Armagh players with their Nutty Krust finalist’s plaques and the Nutty Krust Trophy to the victorious Armagh captain, Evan Crummie. Rory spoke to the players and encouraged them all to go as far as they possibly could in the game of rugby and congratulated them all on their performances during the game
