CVRFC lose away at Bangor in game they should have won.
Though Valley had started with two good wins in the league they always expected a tough game against newly promoted Bangor.
From the start Bangor showed they were “up” for the game when Valley did not deal well with the kick off. Bangor forced a scum on the Valley 22 and when the scum collapsed Valley were penalised in front of the posts and Bangor had a perfect start with a 3-0 lead. From the restart Valley struggled, they lost a line out and were turned over twice by the aggressive Bangor defence. It was no surprise that after 12 minutes Bangor scored in the corner to lead 8-0.
Valley were at sixes and sevens. They struggled to impose any structure to their game and were making basic mistakes allowing Bangor to retain their momentum. Bangor had a number of opportunities to extend their lead but unfortunately their young out half, in his first senior game, missed a number of relatively easy penalty opportunities, (though in open play he was excellent with his kicking and defence).
Slowly Valley clawed their way back into the game. After 23 minutes a Valley rolling maul was only just stopped short of the Bangor line after a 30 metre drive. Unfortunately the ball when released was knocked on and the attack was stopped.
After 32 minutes Valley were furthered hampered when they lost a centre to a yellow card for not rolling away in the tackle. Whilst the decision was harsh, in the context of the penalties being conceded by Valley, it was not a surprise.
Just on the stroke of half time Valley man of the match Holme, with an excellent grubber kick, forced Bangor to a line out on their own five metres line. Bangor were naïve. They threw the ball to No 4 where the waiting Sharkey picked off the throw. Valley drove to the line for prop Moore to score. The conversion from Holme was successful and Valley reached half time only behind 7-8, much against the run of play.
In the second half Valley were better but they continued to give penalty chances which extended Bangor’s lead in the 45th minute to 11-7. Valley then started to dominate the game. Their forward rolling mauls drove Bangor back time after time. After a period of pressure in the Bangor 22 No 8 Wilson forced his way across the Bangor line for a try for Valley to lead for the first time 12-11.
Valley would have expected to push on from this and run out winners. They continued to attack and after a series of plays winger Donaldson was hauled down just short of the Bangor line after a good attack. This reinvigorated Bangor and slowly they started to work their way back to the Valley half. With 12 minutes to go Valley were penalised again when a defending forward shot out of the line early in defence and conceded the penalty. The Bangor Captain made no mistake with the kick and Bangor led 14-12.
Valley tried to return to the attack but a series of injuries to Stafford, Moore and the influential Holme prevented them building the momentum to threaten the Bangor lead. When Bangor had the ball they retained it well and finished the game in the Valley territory.
This was a significant win for Bangor, and one which they will build on. Valley coaches will be unhappy with the performance. There were too many simple mistakes and the team started poorly. Next week Valley play Portadown at the Cran and they will have to improve immensely if they want to get their league campaign back on track.
Clogher Valley 2nds 29 – 17 Dromore 2nds
2nds win well
A very disjointed game with stoppages though injury and uncontested scrums from early in first half as Dromore did not have a replacement prop.
Two tries for Ian Mulligan and one each for BJ, Ally and PC with conversations from Wayne and Eugene sealed the game.
