Sat 11th Jan, 14:30 Kukri Qualifying 1.Clogher Valley 27 – 0 Bangor
Clogher Valley 27 Bangor 0
by Bob Beatty
Clogher Valley claimed all five points in this tough encounter against visitors Bangor, reversing the result of earlier in the season.
More imprtantly set up a probable league decider against Portadown next week. With both Cloghers squad hookers on the casualty list Richard Stinson was taken off the shelf and dusted down and sent out once again. It was a ‘big ask’ but he was a big time player and went on to prove he has lost nothing in the intervening years. The other plus point for Clogher was the return to action of back row forward Sharkey. His performance left the coaches and supporters basking in a warm glow of anticipation for the battles that lie ahead.
The Valley were quickest out of the blocks, Ryan Wilson made the initial yards before Bennett stormed through the Bangor defence to claim early field position. A Valley scrum resulted in Ryan Wilson being held up close to the try line but several phases later the ball was presented to that man Bennett on the blind and he squeezed in at the corner flag for the opening try. It went unconverted but it was the start that Clogher needed.
The Valley faithful expected their side to push on but Bangor were working to a different agenda. The next twenty minutes proved a real tussle for supremacy. Cloghers main strike weapons at this stage were Bennett, Ryan Wilson and Sharkey with Bangor countering through Morgan, Henly and the ever present Latimer.
It took to the 32nd minute before the scoreboard was needed again. It was to be a try created and finished by Sharkey. First he rose to turn over a Bangor lineout, Ryan Wilson punched into Bangors rear guard before offloading to the tracking Sharkey who raced in for an excellent try. Holme added the conversion.
Bangor almost hit back immediately but Cloghers frugal defence was up to the task. Fullback Armstrong launched a 60 metre clearance to ease the growing pressure. Again Sharkey would turn over the Bangor throw to set up a promising attack. Several phases later Bangor were caught offside and Holme duly obliged with the resulting penalty.
The visitors threatened to cut loose in the final few minutes of the half but the Valley defence which hadn’t conceded a point in two hundred minutes of play was not to be breached.
Bangors second half restart was poor giving the Valley an immediate advantage. Despite several promising sorties Bangor held the line and eventually their enterprising backline broke the siege to force Clogher back to defend deep in their own half. For the next ten minutes the visitors held the whip hand. It was to be their best period but again the Valley defence was up to the task. Ryan and B J Wilson made telling hits as did Sharkey, Falconer, Dunlop and Stafford. Cloghers control at the contact area would prove significant. They won the majority of the possession allowing them to slowly regain control again. The Valley replaced Bennett in the front row with McAleer to bring fresh legs to play. A Holme penalty took play to the Bangor 22metre line .A great take and drive saw the Clogher pack power towards the line. Sharkey broke clear and surged forward but was held up. Falconer ripped the ball clear to present another platform for the pack. They piled in behind him and surged forward again and this time Primrose got the all important touchdown. Holmes conversion attempt rebounded of the post but a twenty point margin going into the last quarter would prove insurmountable.
It was to be the inspirational Falconers last play, with blood gushing from a head wound he was eventually persuaded to leave the field, to be replaced by Speers.
The Valley continued to press, the all important fourth try and bonus point was now the ‘holy grail’. It came amid a period of power and precision that was simply unstoppable. The Valley pack drove forward , Primrose was in the thick of the action. The Wilson brothers both carried as did McKenna and Treanor before McAleer crashed over with the complete pack in his ‘jet stream’ for a superb forwards try.
Holme added the extras to wrap up proceedings. One down three to go. The Valley entered this period with what effectively is four cup finals to play. Bangor now accounted for, next up is the visit to Portadown this Saturday where the league title is at stake. Follow that with a second visit to Ballyclare, this time in the Towns cup. Finally of course is the All Ireland Junior Cup Final on the 1ST of February. Preparations for that day are in full flow. Anybody wishing to travel on the official buses should contact the office of Allan Montgomery & Co. to reserve a seat. Telephone nos. are 02889521166 or 02889522440.
[youtube SFnE2_DUhbs]
