Clogher Valley 29 CIYMS 3
On a sunny afternoon at the Cran, a strong second half performance paved the way for a comprehensive victory for Clogher Valley against CIYMS in the first Qualifying League match of the season.
After a pre-season which led to a mounting list of injured players, Valley gave Qualifying One starts to Trotter at scrum half, Ian McKeown in the second row and William McKeown at full back. The injury crisis also meant that Trenier, who normally operates in the back row, was required to start in the centre.
Any fears that the injuries and disruption would affect the Valley performance were soon dispelled after a strong start. Breen announced his presence with a shuddering tackle which stopped the early CI attack in its tracks. Valley pressure at the breakdown, with BJ Wilson and Cobain prominent, saw CI penalised. Valley outhalf Holme kicked the penalty deep into CI 22. A good take by captain Sharkey at the ensuing lineout saw the Valley pack drive over for the first try on 4 minutes. The difficult conversion was missed but Valley would have been happy with the 5-0 lead.
The CI response was forceful with the Belfast side trying to bring width to the game. The Valley defence, as it would prove to be during the rest of the game, was resolute with Falconer and Trenier tackling well and McKeown playing soundly at full back. On a couple of occasions CI attacks looked as though they would produce a score but some loose passing and poor options meant possession was wasted. At this stage too, Breen had to depart with injury, to be replaced by Ellis.
Fustratingly for the home side, several promising attacks – with good breaks from Sharkey and Falconer – did not produce the reward that the enterprise deserved. With CI continuing to also give the ball some air, Valley supporters fears were realised just before half-time when the visitors won a penalty which their out half, Rowan, goaled to leave the score at 5-3.
With no further score the second half commenced with the game evenly balanced. Valley however proceeded to up their game that produced 24 unanswered points.
In the first Valley visit to the CI 22, just after the restart, a never ending series of mauls with the home pack in the ascendancy produced a try with Moore touching down. Holme added the extras to give Valley a 12-3 lead.
Valiantly as CI tried to come back the Valley defence held firm. A good kick from Trotter created uncertainty in CI defence. McKeown fielded a poor CI clearance kick before making a fine break to bring play into the heart of the visitors’ 22. The resulting pressure led to a Valley penalty within sight of the posts. The kick was declined in favour of a scrum and this was rewarded when Ryan Wilson picked up from the base to barge over for his regulation try. Holme converted to leave Valley leading 19-3 on 50 minutes.
At this stage the outcome of the game looked inevitable and Valley continued to press for further scores. The only doubt at this stage seemed to be the prospect of playing ten minutes with 14 men after Ryan Wilson was yellow-carded on 55 minutes.
Any concerns were dispelled as Valley increased the tempo of the game. A barnstorming break by Primrose set in train the events that led to a fourth (and bonus point) try. With Ellis making a decisive break to bring play into the visitors’ 22 it was Holme who gratefully received the final pass to score close to the posts. Holme added the extras to give Valley a 26-3 lead entering the final quarter.
Valley continued to force the game and were rewarded with a penalty on 67 minutes which Holme goaled to leave the score at 29-3. The remaining 13 minutes would produce no further score and Valley ended with a well-deserved and a comprehensive victory.
Following the travails of pre-season the result was a welcome outcome for a much changed Valley side and is a great statement of intent at the start of the new league season. Valley face Dromore away next week before welcoming last year’s league champions, Instonians, to the Cran on 15 September.
