Nutty Krust Round Up 15.3.23
Nutty Krust Tournament Dungannon U18’s v Omagh RFC U18’s Wednesday 15th March 2023
The sixth, and final, of this season’s Nutty Krust group stage games got underway in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament under the floodlights at a cool, but dry, Chambers Park when the Dungannon U18 team played the Omagh U18 team on Wednesday evening. Both teams were playing in their second Nutty Krust games of the 22/23 Tournament.
With Banbridge RFC U18’s having already qualified for the final on Wednesday 29th March this game was a matter of winner takes all to establish who would join Banbridge in the final. A sizeable and very enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch another entertaining Nutty Krust game, which Dungannon won by 33-19, and which featured quite a few talented players on both teams.
The game was well refereed by Stuart Campbell from the USRFR with Richard Kerr, USRFR Development Manager, among the crowd in attendance watching the game.
The Dungannon team had built up a 21-7 lead by the interval through tries from Nigel Mataia, Jacob Clarke and Brooklyn Fletcher, with Zac Holmes adding all three successful conversions.
The Omagh first half try was scored by Tom Graham, who took advantage of good work from Adam Havlin, Shea Daly and Paul Miller, with Andrew Johnston landing the conversion.
Omagh started the second half strongly with Ben Henry and Michael Moloney combining strongly before releasing Paul Miller who ran through two tackles to touch down for a try. Andrew Johnston added the extras to see the Omagh deficit reduced to 21-14.
Dungannon then started to control both territory and possession and scored their fourth try of the game when Nigel Mataia took advantage of good work from Brooklyn Fletcher and scrambled over for his second try of the might. Zac Holmes added the conversion to increase the Dungannon lead to 28-14.
Omagh responded in a very positive manner when Andrew Johnston and Ben Henry combined to send Mark Bradley in for an unconverted try to see the scoreboard reading Dungannon 28 Omagh 19.
However, this became 33-19 when, following a series of “pick and go” phases from Brooklyn Fletcher, Daniel Kelso and Sione Tulanga Pasi, the ball was quickly recycled. Zac Holmes and Cameron Shaw then combined to send Robbie Wilkinson in for an unconverted try in the corner to seal the victory for the Dungannon 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 “Flat Dogs Gourmet Food” Restaurant, and organised by Ryan, the Flat Dogs proprietor. Ryan was assisted by his Flat Dog colleagues, including his father, Tom, in serving the food. All the players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
Matthew Wickham, a member of both Portadown RFC and the USRFR, presented the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony. The Man of the Match Award went to Brooklyn Fletcher, the Dungannon FC U18 No8.
The final of this season’s Nutty Krust Tournament will be played on Wednesday 29th March when the Banbridge RFC U18 team will play the Dungannon FC U18 team at 7-30pm. Both teams recorded bonus point victories in their previous outings in the Nutty Krust Tournament this season so expectations are building for a very exciting Nutty Krust Tournament final.
All visitors and supporters to the game will be made to feel very welcome and are invited to use the Portadown RFC facilities before and after the game.
