Valley lose to Portadown 6-18
Portadown win but Valley should have!!!
The scoreline would suggest that Qualifying One League leaders Portadown enjoyed a fairly comfortable victory over Clogher Valley. The reality is that they took the few opportunities which came their way while Clogher Valley squandered numerous opportunities, particularly in a dominant first half.
Another important factor in the result was the “McCaw-esque” skullduggery at the breakdown by the experienced Portadown back row, which not only went unpunished , but which led to a string of penalties against Valley,many of them in important attacking positions.
Valley started with great purpose and immediately put Portadown on the back foot. After good interplay between backs and forwards,once again orchestrated by Jimmy Bates,Willie Stafford was tackled into touch in the corner. Aaron Best fed David Sharkey on the charge,but with the line beckoning,he was tackled from behind and the ball was dislodged from his grasp at the vital moment.
Portadown scrambled the ball clear to the half way line where Valley had a lineout. Portadown stole the ball and set up a ruck in midfield. Scrum half Whitten produced a deft back-handed pass to O’Kane who couldn’t believe the space which opened up in front of him.He passed to Halliday who went in for the easiest of trys which Cousins converted. 7 – 0 to the home side with their first visit to Valley territory.
Valley continued where they left off with constant pressure on the Portadown defence.Best managed to kick two penalties to narrow the gap to 7 – 6 and Paul Armstrong was just short with two long-range attempts which would have given Valley a deserved lead. Other opportunities were created but , time and again, ball was kicked away in 2 v 1 and 3 v 2 situations.
Portadown enjoyed better possession in the second half. A poor kick was gathered by Halliday who danced through some weak tackling before passing to Lamb. He broke left before off-loading to Creaney who scored all-to-easily in the corner . The conversion was missed but Portadown had a useful ,if unlikely, 12 – 6 lead.
Back came Valley and Stafford broke through the Portadown midfield. Unfortunately he didn’t see Ally Breen on his outside who would have had an easy canter in for a try. Influential forwards Philip Moore and David Sharkey had to leave the field to be replaced by Ronan McAleer and Clive Donaldson.
Valley continued to look for that elusive score but time and again were penalised in good attacking positions. The penalty count against Valley was embarrassing as the game entered the final minutes. For the record Cousins kicked two of them to give the home side a flattering 18 – 6 victory.
This Saturday Valley host Leinster side Newbridge in the Quarter Final of the All-Ireland Junior Cup. The visitors will have a large travelling support. All Valley supporters are encouraged to arrive early for the 2.30 kick-off.
