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Nutty Krust Tournament Enniskillen U18’s v Rainey U18’s Semi-Final 2 Wednesday 27th March 2019
The second of this season’s semi-final games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a very dry and calm Chambers Park when the Enniskillen U18’s v Rainey U18’s was played on Wednesday evening. This was the first time the Enniskillen team had the opportunity to play in the tournament this season as they had fallen victims to the late withdrawal of the Randalstown team prior to their scheduled quarter-final game earlier in the tournament. The Rainey U18 team recorded a well contested hard earned 13-0 victory with the scoreboard having read 3-0 in their favour at the break. A good 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 Rainey team took control of both territory and possession early in the game and proved reluctant to lose control for long periods of the game. Jack Bresland, Eoghan McOscar and Niall Corr were prominent with the ball in hand in the opening exchanges for the Rainey team. However, the Enniskillen team was well organised defensively with players such as Oisin Timoney, Niall Keenan, Fergus Fee and Dylan Flynn to the fore. Midway through the first half Rainey pressure forced the Enniskillen defence into conceding a penalty. Harry Evans stepped up to coolly slot the ball over the bar and between the uprights to secure a 3-0 lead for the Rainey U18 team. The Enniskillen team responded positively and took play deep into the Rainey “Red Zone” A series of line out plays saw Oisin Timoney, Oisin Monaghan and Niall Keenan take the ball close to the Rainey line on a number of occasions. However, the Rainey line remained intact due to a turnover ball enabling them to clear the line. It was then the turn of the Rainey team to apply the pressure but dogged defence from the Enniskillen mid field trio of Dylan Flynn, Fergus Fee and Curtis Coalter ensured there were no further points scored in the first half with the Rainey team unable to add to their 3-0 lead.
Early Rainey pressure in the opening stages of the second half saw Jack Bresland, Andreas Layden, Nathan Jeffers and Kealan Friel ask further questions of the Enniskillen defence. However, the Enniskillen back row and midfield players ensured these Rainey attacks were thwarted. That was until ten minutes after the restart when, following many phases of play, Nathan Jeffers hit Michael McCormack with a clever pass. Michael took advantage of the great line he was running and finished off with an unconverted try to increase the Rainey lead to 8-0. Nathan Jeffers and Karl Martin then combined to attack the Enniskillen line but a superb cover tackle from Zak Kyle, assisted by Thomas Scallon, ensured the Rainey attack was nullified. Seven minutes from the end of the game Kealan Friel charged down an Enniskillen clearance kick close to the line. Kealan reacted quickly, regathered the ball and touched down for the unconverted try which secured the hard earned but, ultimately, well-deserved victory 13-0 victory for the Rainey RFC 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.
Sid Rowe, 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 Nathan Jeffers, the Rainey RFC U18 No 13.
The Final game in the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will see the Rainey U18 team play Armagh U18’s at 7-45pm on Wednesday 10th April under the Chambers Park floodlights. As usual, all supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
