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Nutty Krust Tournament Banbridge U18’s v City of Armagh U18’s Semi-Final 1 Tuesday 26th March 2019
The first of this season’s semi-final games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a very dry Chambers Park when Banbridge U18’s and City of Armagh U18’s played on Tuesday evening. The Armagh team recorded a well contested 68-5 victory against the very young and inexperienced, but spirited, Banbridge team with the scoreboard having read 33-5 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 Armagh U18 team started the where they had left off in their quarter-final game against City of Derry by going on an early series of all-out attacks. Three minutes into the game Dylan Nelson scored a try, converted by Brandon Gribben, to give the Armagh team a 7-0 lead. Three minutes later this became 12-0 when Brandon created the space for Dylan to touch down for an unconverted try. Ten minutes into the game the Armagh attack used the width of the Chambers Park pitch to launch another attack but the play was stopped just short of the whitewash. However, Matthew Sands was at hand to pick the ball up and run in for a try. Brandon Gribben added the extras to increase the Armagh lead to 19-0. This lead increased to 26-0 when Brandon Gribben combined his running skills with his kicking skills to ensure the Armagh team continued to have territorial advantage. Following several phases of play Aaron Whyte touched down for the try which Brandon converted. The Banbridge team recovered strongly and good work from Robbie Mathers, combined with intelligent play from Daryl Mc Carten, saw Philip Jackson snipe his way over the whitewash for an unconverted try. Armagh hit back immediately and Brandon Gribben, Elvinas Kilmonis and Dylan Nelson combined before Aaron Woods finished off with a try. Brandon Gribben added the conversion to see the Armagh team into their 33-5 lead at the break.
The Banbridge team displayed great commitment with players such as Dean Hayes, Bobby McManus and Daryl McCarten getting through a lot of work in defence. However, there was little they could do to prevent Sam Rainey scoring an early second half try. A successful Brandon Gribben conversion saw the Armagh team into a 40-5 lead. Banbridge then broke out of defence with Robbie Mathers and Bobby McManus leading the way. Just as when it looked as if a promising attack was about to be rewarded a loose pass was intercepted by Dylan Nelson who raced in under the posts for a try. Brandon Gribben was successful with another conversion to the see the Armagh team into a 47-5 lead. Three Armagh tries in the final quarter of the game from Elvinas Kilmonis, Dylan Nelson and Brandon Gribben, all of which were converted by Brandon, secured the impressive 68-5 win for the Armagh U18 team.
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.
Andy Gray, former Portadown College, King’s Scholars RFC, Portadown RFC and Ulster Junior’s scrum half and a member of the Nutty Krust Committee, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Matthew Sands, the Armagh RFC 2nd Row.
The second of the semi-final games in the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will see the Enniskillen U18 team play either Rainey U18’s at 7-45pm on Wednesday 27th March under the Chambers Park floodlights. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
The Final of the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will take place7-45pm on Wednesday 10th April under the Chambers Park floodlights. Once again, all supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
