To follow INTOUCH RUGBY on Facebook CLICK HERE to Follow InTouch Schools & Clubs Rugby in Ulster & Lifestyle Specials page on Facebook CLICK HERE for TWITTER CLICK HERE
Nutty Krust Tournament Omagh/Dungannon U18’s v Rainey U18’s Wednesday 6th March 2019
The second of this season’s games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a very windy Chambers Park when Omagh/Dungannon U18’s and Rainey U18’s played on Wednesday evening. The Rainey U18 team recorded a well contested 27-12 victory with the scoreboard having read 12-5 in favour of the Omagh/Dungannon team 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.
It was almost a game of two halves due to a gusting wind blowing straight down the well prepared Chambers Park pitch. The Omagh/Dungannon had the wind in their backs in the first half and made good use of the elements. Their enterprising approach with the ball on hand saw them rewarded with a try in the opening stages of the game. Strong carriers from players such as Simon Creane, Zack Elmarif and the impressive Ryan Armstrong, paved the way for Simon Creane touching down for a try. Will Stewart added the extras to see the Omagh/Dungannon team into a 7-0 lead. The Rainey U18 team responded positively and they forced the Omagh/Dungannon defence into conceding a penalty. Bryan Hall gathered the ball and took a quickly tapped penalty. This caught the opposition out and he ran in unopposed for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 7-5. Omagh/Dungannon controlled the territory and possession for the next ten minutes and took play into the Rainey “Red Zone”. Constant pressure on the Rainey line was rewarded when the hard working Omagh/Dungannon No 8, Mica Anderson, barged his way over the line for an unconverted try to give the Tyrone players a 12-5 lead at the break.
Rainey, with the wind advantage in the second half, started strongly and, after several phases of play, Ciaran McCann touched down for an unconverted try in the corner to reduce the arrears to 12-10. The Rainey team continued to control the territory and possession and their impressive No 8, Jack Bresland, touched down for an unconverted try to see his team into a 15-12 lead. Jack continued to pressurise the Omagh/Dungannon line and, at one stage, he was held up just short. However, the ball was quickly recycled and Enda Quigley barged his way over for a try. Harry Evans added the extras to give the Rainey team a 22-12 lead. The Omagh team, with Ryan Armstrong and Mica Anderson to the fore, made valiant efforts to break out of defence on a number of occasions only to see their efforts thwarted by some well-organised Rainey defence. Close to the end of the game Jack Bresland and Harry Evans combined to take play deep into Omagh/Dungannon territory. Nathan Jeffers took advantage of quick ball to scythe his way through the defence and touch down for an unconverted try which secured the 27-12 win 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.
Brian Irwin, Chairman of Irwin’s Bakery and sponsor of the Nutty Krust Tournament was present to see Clive Bowles, President of Portadown RFC and a member of the Nutty Krust Committee, present the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Mica Anderson, the Omagh/Dungannon RFC U18 No 8.
The last of the quarter-final games in the 2019 Nutty Krust Tournament will see City of Derry U18’s play City of Armagh U18’s at 7-45pm on Wednesday 20th March under the Chambers Park floodlights. This game was scheduled to have been played on February 27th but was postponed due to fog. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
