Clogher Valley 2nds 25 Lisburn 2nds 6
With the 1st XV having a bye in the Junior Cup, Captain Andy Breen was able to field close to a full strength team for this first league game of the season. Andy had coaxed Richard Stinson the former 1st XV hooker out of retirement and with his brother Ally returning from injury at full back, PC at centre and BJ at flanker there was a core of experience running though the side.
Valley started strongly and with Keyes and McAleer punching holes around the corner the Lisburn defence were struggling to cope with the power of the Valley pack. However Valley were over-elaborate and were let down by some poor passes and decision making which allowed Lisburn to relieve the pressure on numerous occasions.
Valley continued to win a large percentage of possession but could not find a way through the strong Lisburn defence. Valley were not varying their game and after 30 minutes Lisburn mounted their first real attack and began to get their own ball carriers into the game.
Valley were being forced to defend deep and eventually give away a penalty in a kickable position which Lisburn grateful accepted to lead 3-0. From the restart Lisburn drove into the Valley half and were rewarded with another penalty which they converted to go into the break leading, against the run of play, 6-0.
At half time club coaches Black and Kyle regrouped the Valley side and it was clear from the restart that there was an amended game plan. Whilst still relying on forward drives there was much more variety interspersed with some fine field kicking for position from out half Holme. This kept Lisburn penned back in their own half. Valley also increased their work rate and with man of the match flanker McKenna closing down the Lisburn attacking options it was only a matter of time until Valley scored.
After 40 minutes McKenna ran back a poor clearance kick from Lisburn who then offended at the breakdown for Holme to kick Valleys first points. From the restart Valley again made inroads to the Lisburn defence and a second penalty from Holme left the sides’ level.
Valley were in in full control of the game with Lisburn struggling to put any phases of play together. With 15 minutes left Valley broke the deadlock .From a scrum in midfield Valley moved the ball right and put Ally Breen through a gap and into in the corner for the first try to lead 11-6. Valley continued to attack and went close when McKeown was stopped short of the line with a high tackle which only led to a penalty.
Valley made sure of the points after 70 minutes when a clever blind side kick by scrum half Glenn was picked up by winger Moore to score. Holme was successful with the kick and Valley were 18-6 ahead.
Valley however had not finished , in the closing minutes a powerful run by McAleer saw him deliver a clever inside pass to Holme who scampered over for a try which he then converted for, in the end, a comfortable 25-6 Valley win.
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