Nutty Krust Tournament Armagh U18s v Omagh U18s Wednesday 29th March 2017
The third of this season’s Group C games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a damp but mild Chambers Park when Armagh U18s and Omagh U18s played on Wednesday evening. The impressive U18 team recorded a well contested 59-0 victory with the scoreboard having read 47-0 in their favour at the break. A sizeable crowd had gathered to watch a most entertaining game which featured quite a few talented players on both teams. Among the group watching the game was Jonny Gillespie, the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Manager.
From the outset it was apparent what way the Armagh team was going to approach this game. Their players were intent on attacking with the ball in hand at every opportunity. Cormac Fox was dictating the pace of the game from the start and he received great support from players such as Paul Mullen and Barry Finn. Two minutes into the game Shea O’Brien split the Omagh defence to run in for the first try of the night. Cormac Fox added the conversion to see the Armagh team into a 7-0 lead. Five minutes later Shea hit another great line before off-loading to Chris Jennings who dotted down for the try. Cormac Fox added the conversion to extend the Armagh lead to 14-0. Omagh responded in a positive manner with players such as Aaron Finlay, Ben Beattie, Matthew McCay, Aaron Jeffrey and Fintan Lagan all asking questions of the Armagh defence. Eventually the Armagh defence forced the Omagh team into conceding a penalty and a scoring opportunity was lost. Midway through the half Barry Finn carried strongly before off-loading to James Mallon who touched down for a try under the posts. Cormac Fox hit another conversion to extend the Armagh lead to 21-0. Omagh came back well and took play deep into Armagh territory. From a lineout on the 5m line the Armagh team won the ball and launched an attack from deep. Chris Jennings broke away before being tackled on the 10 m line. Quick ruck ball was used cleverly by Cormac Fox whose kick pass was picked up by Barry Finn who finished the flowing sequence of play off with an unconverted try which increased the Armagh lead to 26-0. Three quick tries in the space of five minutes from Adam Magowan, Shea O’Brien and James Mallon, all successfully converted by Cormac Fox, gave the Armagh team a 47-0 lead at the break.
With heavy rain coming down during the interval the pace of the game somewhat lessened in the opening exchanges of the second half. Omagh started well with Nathan Sides, Philip Ewing, Jake Moore, Jimmy Choi and Dean Kane all impressing with their endeavours. The controlled both territory and possession in the third quarter of the game but no change out of the Armagh defence. Midway through the second half the Armagh team secured ball from a turnover at the breakdown. The ball was moved quickly to the wing where Joel Scott finished off with a fine try. Cormac Fox added the extras to increase the Armagh lead to 54-0. Back came Omagh with almost everyone in the ground will them on for a score. Alan Fleming, Jake Moore, Dean Kane, Nathan Sides and Fintan Lagan all came close but it was not to be! With the last play of the game Glen Faloon displayed great running skills to outwit a tiring Omagh defence. Glen touched down for an unconverted try which secured the 59-0 bonus point victory for the impressive 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.
Bobby Stewart, immediate Past-President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, and member of the Nutty Krust Committee, then presented the impressive Armagh No 8, Barry Finn, with the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony.
The last of the Group games in the 2017 Nutty Krust Tournament will see Rainey U18s play Portadown U18s at 7-45pm on Wednesday 5th April under the Chambers Park floodlights. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
Following this game the draw for the semi-finals of the 2017 Nutty Krust competition will take place. The semi-finals are scheduled to take place at 7-45pm on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th April with the final of the 2017 Nutty Krust Tournament scheduled for 8-00pm on Wednesday 26th April.
