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Nutty Krust Tournament City of Derry U18’s v City of Armagh U18’s Wednesday 20th March 2019
The third of this season’s games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a very dry Chambers Park when the previously postponed City of Derry U18’s and City of Armagh U18’s game was played on Wednesday evening. The Armagh team recorded a well contested 59-0 victory with the scoreboard having read 42-0 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 team controlled the grand majority of territory and possession in the course of the first half. They opened their account shortly after kick off when Matthew Sands touched down for a try, which was converted by Brandon Gribben, to see his team into a 7-0 lead. Three minutes later a “chip and chase” from Brandon Gribben was gathered by Sean Hannaway who finished off with a try in the corner. Brandon Gribben added the extras to see the Armagh team into a 14-0 lead. For the next fifteen minutes of the game the City of Derry team worked hard to stem the flow of the Armagh attacks. Colm Cooke, Sean Curran, Jack Kelly and Keelin Coyle defended strongly and managed to keep their line intact. That was until the twenty-fifth minute when Aaron Woods took advantage of good work from his pack at a lineout and he crashed over the line for a try. Brandon Gribben converted successfully from the touchline to increase the Armagh lead to 21-0. Brandon then combined with Sam Rainey to send Dylan Fox in for a try, once again converted by Brandon, to put the Armagh team into a 28-0 lead. The last two minutes of the first half saw the Armagh team inject even more pace into their game. Two tries in quick succession from Crawford Campbell and Dylan Fox, both converted by Brandon Gribben, saw the Armagh U18 team into the half time break having recorded a comfortable 42-0 lead.
The early stages of the second half saw the City of Derry team work hard to gain some territorial advantage. They forced the Armagh team into conceding a couple of penalties and Keelin Coyle earned them some territorial advantage with some excellent line kicks. However, despite the best efforts of their lineout forwards, the City of Derry team was unable to take advantage of any ground they had made. Seven minutes into the second half the Armagh team broke out when Elvinas Kilimonis took a great line to break through the City of Derry defence. Elvinas found Aaron Woods, who was running another super support line, with a clever pass and Aaron was delighted to finish his run off with an unconverted try to increase the Armagh lead to 47-0. Back came the City of Derry team with Dylan Gill, Brian McGarvey, Oisin McCafferty and Keelin Coyle leading the way. Two unfortunate bounces of the ball denied them the opportunity of running in for tries when their attack had the opposition line at their mercy. The Armagh team then secured their 59-0 victory in the final few minutes with tries from Brandon Gribben and Aaron Woods, the latter of which was converted by Brandon Gribben.
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.
Bobby Stewart, a former President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, 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 Brandon Gribben, the Armagh RFC U18 No 10.
The first of the semi-final games in the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will see the Banbridge U18 team play either City of Armagh U18’s at 7-45pm on Tuesday 26th March under the Chambers Park floodlights. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
The second of the semi-final games in the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will see the Enniskillen U18 team play Rainey U18’s at 7-45pm on Wednesday 27th March under the Chambers Park floodlights. Once again, all supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
