Nutty Krust Tournament Ballynahinch U18’s v Omagh U18’s 17th February 2016
The fourth of this season’s games in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament took place under the floodlights at a crisp and dry Chambers Park when Ballynahinch U18’s and Omagh U18’s played on Wednesday evening. The Omagh U18 team recorded a 25-15 victory having built up a 15-0 lead by 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 were Michael Black, the Ulster Rugby Age Grade Manager, and Jonny Gillespie, the Ulster Rugby talent ID Manager.
The Omagh team started the game strongly taking play deep into Ballynahinch territory. They had a chance to score a try early on but good work from the Ballynahinch full back, Jamie Hewitt, relieved the pressure. The Omagh pack, with players such as Philip Ewing, James Rutledge, who was making a return to playing following an injury, James Convey, playing in only his first season of rugby and Cameron Stewart impressing with their work at set piece time, as well as in open play, was in the ascendancy. Several strong carries from James Rutledge and Philip Ewing forced the Ballynahinch defence into conceding a penalty. Luke Murnaghan was successful with the resultant kick to give the Omagh team a 3-0 lead with nine minutes gone. Four minutes later James Convey won lineout ball and the Omagh pack set up a strongly driven maul. Philip Ewing, assisted by Cameron Stewart, was on the end of the maul and finished the move off with an unconverted try to increase the Omagh lead to 8-0. Midway through the first half the Ballynahinch team had the opportunity to reduce the deficit when Ryan Murray made a great break through the Omagh defence only for the final pass to go astray. Just before the break Omagh set up an attacking opportunity from a scrum twenty metres from the line. Philip Ewing secured the possession with a clean strike and the Omagh pack stayed strong. Cameron Stewart, the Omagh No8, picked the ball from the base and powered his way over the whitewash. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Omagh team took their 15-0 lead into the break.
The Omagh team started the second half where they had left off at the end of the first half-on the attack. A penalty opportunity was converted by Luke Murnaghan to put his team into an 18-0 lead. The Ballynahinch team then displayed great effort and commitment for large periods of the second half. They pressurised the Omagh defence into conceding a number of penalties which gave the Ballynahinch team some territorial dominance. From a lineout close to the Omagh line they secured possession and made good use of the width of the pitch. Good handling skills ended with Bailey McGoldrick on hand to finish a fine flowing move with an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 18-5 with twenty minutes of the game remaining. Eight minutes later further Ballynahinch pressure set up a similar scenario which finished with Ryan Murray crossing the Omagh line to touch down for an unconverted try and take the score to 18-10 but still in favour of the Omagh team. With six minutes of the game remaining, and the Ballynahinch team sensing they possibly had the ability to cause an upset, they moved the ball through their hands inside their 22m area. A loose pass was gratefully picked up by the Omagh winger, Aaron Jeffrey, who was delighted to run in and touch down for a try close to the posts. Luke Murnahan added the extras to increase the Omagh lead to 25-10. The Omagh team was now looking for their fourth try to secure a try bonus point. However, it was not to be and the Ballynahinch team finished the game with a flurry. They went through a series of phase plays with Colwyn Elwood carrying strongly on a number of occasions. Colwyn finished off with a well -timed pass which put Bailey McGoldrick in for his second try of the night. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful which ensured it was the Omagh U18 team that finished this six try thriller as 25-15 winners.
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.
The Ulster Rugby Age Grade Manager, Michael Black, presented the impressive Omagh No8, Cameron Stewart, with the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony.
The second of the Second Round group stage games in the 2016 Nutty Krust Tournament will feature Dromore U18’s v Rainey U18’s at 7-45 pm on Wednesday 24th February. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
