Clogher Valley RFc Take Me Out fundraiser style shots – CLICK HERE to see them
Academy 22 vs 26 Clogher Valley RFC
Valley win at Academy…just!!!
Uncertain performance with some poor defending and some sweeping team tries highlighting Valley’s season to date.
Valley, again, were slow to start. They failed to catch the Academy kick off, kicked into poor field position, lost their first scrum, won a turnover in midfield, then lost it again and finally missed simple tackles to allow Academy a 5-0 lead after only 5 minutes. This buoyed the Academy side that launched waves of attacks into the Valley 22. Valley were hanging on. When they did win the ball they invariably were either turned over by an excellent Academy back row or kicked aimlessly to an Academy back three who enjoyed running the ball back with interest. It was all one way traffic. Then after 12 minutes on the Valley 22, and with Academy poised to score, a turn over by Sharkey started a Valley drive. Scrum half Bates spotted the Academy backs out of alignment and moved the ball wide where Best put a supporting Greaves into a gap. He drew the defender and released Holme who also drew a defender to release winger McKeown into space with only the full back to beat. McKeown kicked over the advancing defender and blind side winger Stafford, supporting well, won the race for a Valley try on the touchline. Holme added the conversation and Valley had an unlikely lead of 7-5.
This settled Valley a little. The game was scrappy and Valley were struggling in the scrums and at the breakdown so there was little open play. Academy continued to try and move the ball on every occasions but the Valley defence was now on top. Then after 30 minutes Academy No 6 was yellow carded for going in at the side. It was a pivotal moment in the game. With a player advantage Valley immediately went on the attack and with the line out working well a series of catch and drives took play into the Academy 22. On 36 minutes a Valley scrum released Captain BJ Wilson who made several yards. He was supported well by the forwards and after two drives, first open then blind, Valley released their backs who with well-timed passes put centre Holme in for a second try which he then converted. Valley led 14-5.
Though half time was approaching Valley immediately went back on the attack. The forwards continued with the driving maul and denied Academy any possession. Moving the Academy defence from left to right and then back Valley backs again created space for full back Breen who fixed one defender before beating him on the outside and then running away from a covering defender to score a fine individual try. Holme again converted and at half time Valley led 21-5.
The second half continued as the first had ended. Valley controlled the play and with man of the match Keyes, a willing ball carrier and devastating tackler throughout the game, they punched holes in the Academy defence. On 52 minutes Valley struck again. Out half Best made a break from his own ten metre line. He was well supported by Armstrong who then released Stafford for his second and Valleys fourth and bonus point try. Holme missed the conversation but Valley led 26-5 and seemed in command of the game.
Unfortunately Valley relaxed and became complacent. After 60 minutes this allowed Academy back in the game and they put together some good forward drives of their own. Eventually they were only stopped on the Valley line by illegal play which saw a Valley prop sin binned. Academy opted for the scrum five metres out. The Valley scrum, which had been under pressure throughout, was overwhelmed by the Academy drive and Academy gained a well-deserved push over try but they could not covert.
From the restart the Academy No 8 went on a fifty metre run with Valley tacklers bouncing off him easily. He was stopped just short of the line but a supporting forward was able to score. Again the kick was missed but Academy were back in the game. Valley were at sixes and sevens with little cohesion and no answer to the renewed Academy side. It was no surprise when Academy engineered a further converted try when a centre easily ran through a non-existent Valley defence under the posts. Academy trailed only 26-22.
The Valley defending had been awful. With 10 minutes remaining Valley problems were compounded when first Holme and then Breen had to leave the field injured. At the same time Best sustained an ankle injury which also should have seen him leave the game, bravely he stayed on. As usual, when Valley backs are against the wall, they found the strength to gradually get back on top. There were a few nervous moments for their supporters but Academy never managed another attack over the half way line and the game petered out with Valley in the Academy 22.
Valley won because their strike runners were more effective and the forwards managed several periods of control. However with so many changes again, Valley lacked cohesion. That they are still winning says a lot about the spirit in the club as they enter a critical period with key league, Junior Cup semi-finals and All Ireland Cup qtr. finals in the coming weeks. Next week Valley play Donaghadee in the league at the Cran kick off 14.30
Mixed results for Youth on 17th Nov.
Clogher Valley Youth teams had mixed fortunes on Saturday. The Under 15’s lost 15 – 39 to Omagh. Robinson with two trys and Dunwoody were the Valley scorers.The Under 19’s had a hastily arranged friendly against Portadown but were weakened by the last minute call-up of of Skipper Paul Armstrong and Michael Traynor to the Firsts.Ian Mulligan scored a try and Coulter a penalty in the 8 – 38 reversal
The Under 17’s maintained their top of the table position with a 24 – 0 win over Omagh. McKeown,Agnew,McLean and Hicks were the try scorers while Dougan was successful with two conversions.
