Dromore reach Nutty Krust final after derby win

Ballynahinch 16

Dromore U19s 17

DROMORE will face Coleraine in this year’s Nutty Krust Under-19 Flootlit tournament at Chambers Park, Portadown, on Tuesday May 4.

The Hinch are out for revenge after losing a cracking Nutty Krust tourney semi-final, 17-16 to Dromore, which relinguished their grip on the Wells Cup.

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Coleraine did well to overcome host club, Portadown, 14-5 in the other semi-final. It is a trophy they have never won in any of its formats over the years.

This derby affair lived up to its huge expectations. Nutty Krust trophy holders Ballynahinch opened the scoring through their strong running No 8 Keith Dickson. Centre Fraser Bassie added the extra points for a 7-0 lead.

However their lead didn't last long as Dromore hit back when their centre James Gibson took a great line to burst through the 'Hinch defence for a try converted by out half Aaron Stewart. Back to square one with the score at 7-7.

The game swung from end to end after that, but Hinch went in to the break with a three-point advantage after Bassie slotted over a penalty.

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Early in the second half Dromore’s hooker was yellow carded and from the resulting penalty Bassie added the points to stretch Ballynahinch's lead to 13-7.

Hinch then had their scrumhalf sin-binned while Dromore lost the influential McGregor to injury.

In spite of this loss Dromore continued to attack and only great defence held them out. On three occasions they were held up just short of the' Hinch line but eventually something had to give and it was that man Gibson who broke through to score a crucial try.

With Stewart adding the conversion the game swung in Dromore's favour with a 14-13 lead.

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Hinch came back with force and Bassie saw a chance to nudge ahead again with a penalty drift wide. Dromore, however, had not learned their lesson and another penalty chance was seized by the young Hinch centre for a 16-14 lead.

With time running out, Dromore gained possession from the restart and launched a full attack. A penalty opportunity finally came their way and it was left with skipper, Stewart, to hold his nerve and slot over in the silence and put his side into the final, 17-16.

- CAPTAINED by Ulster Under 20 squad member Jamie Kirk Dromore reached another cup final.

A large local crowd turned up at Ravenhill on Tuesday night to watch their match against local rivals Ballynahinch. Although the boys did themselves and the club proud they lost an epic battle 17-6.