A last gasp try by Lyons seals the bonus point in a difficult fixture
After the last minute defeat at home to Coleraine last week the Valley side needed to kick start their defence of the League title. However coaches Kyle and Black were forced through injuries to give a first senior competitive start to three youngsters. At full back U19 Captain Armstrong, in the back row U19 Treanor and in the front row at prop Millar.
UUC started with an intention to move the ball wide at every opportunity. However the Valley aggressive tackling and harassing of the man in possession led UUC to make a number of mistakes leading to a penalty to Valley on 3 mins easily kicked by Best. The game continued with UUC setting a frenetic pace. Valley defence was a little disorganized and on several occasions gaps appeared which luckily for Valley UUC could not grasp. Valley lacked cohesion and too often support for players was not in place leaving scrum half Bates scrambling to get the ball away from UUC pressure.
Valley were winning little possession and had not really exerted any pressure on the UUC line. However in the 13 min they won a scrum against the head in the UUC 22. The ball was quickly transferred across the backline and with Armstrong creating an extra man his final pass was given to Todd to score a try. This was converted by Best to leave Valley 10-0 ahead though slightly against the run of play. From the restart UUC won the ball and created a three on one against full back Armstrong. However Armstrong smothered the ball carrier and the chance for UUC was gone.
Valley were still to put a meaningful passage of play together. Eventually however on 21 minutes they managed to put a phase of play together which stretched UUC first right then left. When the ball came back right for the third time prop McAleer was on hand to drive over for the second Valley try. The kick was missed but Valley led 15-0. From the restart Valley attacked again and were awarded a penalty deep in UUC territory. To the surprise of the Valley travelling support they elected for a kick at goal rather than a kick to touch for a catch and drive. The Valley line out had been operating well with Greaves and Sharkey taking their own ball easily and causing UUC jumpers a lot of difficulty. Nevertheless Best kicked the penalty to leave Valley 18-0 ahead.
Valley were lacking control and composure on the ball generally and from the restart several unforced mistakes resulted in a UUC penalty in front of the posts easily kicked. The game remained untidy and unstructured. In the 32 min a UUC player was yellow carded for a tip tackle which seemed rather harsh, though otherwise referee Peter Martin had a good game. Best kicked the penalty to leave Valley leading 21-3 at half time. Valley management were happy with the score but not with the general level of play.
UUC seemed invigorated after the break and with the Valley backs losing their shape in defence after 47 minutes UUC scored a well worked try down the left touchline. This lifted UUC more and they were now creating gaps at will. Only some scrambling defence from Sharkey, Bates, Baxter and Best stopped UUC scores. After 55 minutes UUC should have been well back in the game when their left winger was put clear he ran behind the post to score only to drop the ball with no Valley defender close by. A miss which was to prove costly to a brave UUC side.
Valley started to regain their shape and UCC were now trying to use the slope and wind with kicks to pressure the Valley back three. This was counterproductive as Valley continually returned the ball with interest. From one of these fine clearance kicks by Armstrong Valley stole a lineout and after a number of plays a good grubber kick by Holmes saw UUC forced to scramble the ball to touch on their 5 metre line. Valley with a trademark catch and drive, particularly well executed by McAleer who had a good game throughout, led to a Sharkey try. Best kicked the conversion to leave Valley comfortable at 28-8 with 10 minutes to play.
Valley were trying to create a bonus point try but were lacking the cohesion and wherewithal to achieve. They went close through breaks by Lyons, Holme and Breen but each lacked support for the try scoring offload. Good UUC defense was making it difficult. The game was in its final minute when a serious of mistakes for both sides led to a UUC penalty under their posts. It seemed that the Valley chance had gone. However inexplicably UUC decided to run the ball. A massive tackle by man of the match Baxter for Valley dislodged the ball and as it bounced around quick thinking Lyons was able to gather and crash under the posts despite the attentions of several defenders for an unexpected bonus point. The conversion by Best left the final score 38-8 and a disappointed UUC were left to reflect on opportunities they had not taken.
So Valley came away from the game with 5 points. Coach Kyle was delighted with how his team had performed with so much disruption through injuries and unavailability’s. He acknowledged that the performance was only 60% of last season’s standard but pointed out that it was particularly gratifying how the youngsters had performed under so much pressure. There had also been several senior players who struggled through the game with slight injuries which in other circumstances would have led to their replacement. Next week Valley play Armagh 2nds in the Conference league at the Cran. No doubt Valley will use the fixture to “blood” more of their younger players for the future.
Mini rugby starts 14 Sept @ 6pm
Mini rugby for all P3 – P7 starts on Fri Sept 14 at 6 – 7 pm. Players need to bring boots and a gum shield
