Nutty Krust Tournament Dromore U18’s v Rainey U18’s 24th February 2016
The fifth of this season’s games in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament took place under the floodlights at a crisp and dry Chambers Park when Dromore U18’s and Rainey U18’s played on Wednesday evening. The Dromore U18 team recorded a 15-7 victory despite having been 7-0 behind at the interval. This was the first appearance for the Rainey U18 team in the tournament and 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, Jonathan Graham, the Ulster U18 team coach and Jonny Gillespie, the Ulster Rugby talent ID Manager. Bobby Stewart, the Ulster Branch President, took time out of his busy schedule to attend the game. The continued interest of Ulster Rugby in the Nutty Krust Tournament is greatly appreciated by everyone connected with the competition.
The Dromore team started the game strongly and they made good use of their driven maul tactic on a number of occasions to pressurise the Rainey defence. However, the pressure was relieved on a number of occasions when the Rainey team cleared their lines following the Dromore team being penalised. The Rainey team then started to get some quality possession and a great break from Gareth Hall was carried on by Jac Lloyd Evans. Jac was stopped just short of the line but quick ruck ball was presented for Calum Smyth to crash over the whitewash and touch down for a Rainey try. Gareth Hall stepped up to hit a fine conversion kick from the 5m line to giver the Rainey team a 7-0 lead. The pace of the game was now building up and both teams launched a series of attacks with Marcus Heath and Matty Jennings asking questions of the Rainey defence but the defence, with Jac Lloyd Evans assisted by his wing colleagues, getting through a lot of work held firm.. With the last play of the first half Thomas McNicholl broke from his 22m area, off-loaded to Gareth Hall who then put Michael O’Neill into space. Michael made good ground but a knock on prevented what seemed like a certain try and the teams turned around with the Rainey team preserving their 7-0 lead.
Rainey started the second half with further pressure on the Dromore defence. They launched a series of attacks at the Dromore line but were stopped just short on a couple of occasions. The pace of the game did not diminish with both backlines determined to attack with the ball in hand. Midway through the second half the Dromore U18 team was in the ascendancy. Working from scrum ball they went through several phases of play before Matty Jennings ran in for a try. The conversion kick was unsuccessful but the Dromore team had reduced the deficit to 7-5. The Rainey team went back on to the front foot with Jack McIntosh, Christian Lawrence and Thomas McNicholl putting their team into positions of strength with some very effective ball carrying. Unfortunately for the Rainey team a number of knock on mistakes and penalties awarded against them prevented them from taking advantage of their territorial advantage. Dromore took an 8-7 lead when, on a rare venture into the Rainey 22m area they pressurized the Rainey defence into conceding a penalty. Marcus Heath stepped up to convert the penalty which put the Dromore team into the lead. From the restart Ben Heath and Matty Jennings combined to bring the Dromore team back into the Rainey 22m area. A penalty was kicked into touch and the resultant lineout and rolling maul were used effectively. The ball was moved to good effect and Matty Jennings ran in for a try. Marcus Heath added the extras to put the Dromore team into a 15-7 lead. The Rainey team came back in the closing stages of the game and might have secured a losing bonus point only to see a penalty attempt drift wide off the posts. This missed ensured the Dromore team their 15-7 victory and, with it, their place in the semi-final of the 2016 Nutty Krust U18 Tournament.
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 Talent ID Manager, Jonny Gillespie, presented the hard working Rainey full back, Jac Lloyd Evans, with the Nutty Krust “Man of the Match Award” at the post match ceremony.
The third of the Second Round group stage games in the 2016 Nutty Krust Tournament will feature Malone U18’s v Randalstown U18’s at 7-45 pm on Wednesday 2nd March. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
