U17 finish league with a 4 try win (26-12)
By Stephen Hetherington, 5th Jan 2014
Clogher Valley U17’s finished their league campaign on a high as they defeated Lisburn at home is a 6 try encounter.
League Campaign finishes on a high
Clogher Valley U17’s finished their league campaign on a high as they defeated Lisburn at home is a 6 try encounter. The home side needed the first 20 minutes to get the Christmas turkey out of their system as they allowed the Lisburn pack to beat them to the breakdown and steal the ball on a number of occasions. Eventually the play started to flow and good off loads and quick rucking give Jonathan Porter the opportunity to drive over to open the scoring for the Valley, converted by Beacom: 7-0 to the home side.
Mistakes and slow rucking allowed Lisburn to creep back into contention, Beacom cleared with a long kick, Phillip Wilson sprinted 60 meters to catch the Lisburn full back and with a turn over, flanker Brendan McSorley broke numerous tackles to score Valley’s 2nd try. Jonathon Porter was not to be outdone by his fellow flanker and after a series of drives from the Valley pack, he broke through 4 Lisburn defenders to score his 2nd and Valley’s 3rd try, when converted gave the home side a 19-0 half-time lead.
The 2nd half saw the visitors up their game and put Valley under more pressure. Long kicks from the Lisburn out-half put the Valley on defensive mode for sustained periods. James Beacom playing at full-back, safely took the high balls and returned with interest, outstanding tackles from Wilson playing at inside centre put him in contention for man-of-the-match award. With some unusual decisions being made by the man with the whistle, Lisburn clawed their way back with 2 tries leaving the score 19-12 with 10 minutes to go. With good line-out steals from McSorley, the Lisburn comeback came to a halt and the Valley upped their game. Players got to the breakdown faster and the tackles were more aggressive. Charles Keys playing at scrum half decided he wasn’t going to allow the forwards to get all the glory and started to snipe around the base of the rucks and made numerous 15-20 meter breaks. The home side secured the game with a further converted try to win the match 26-12. The man-or-the match award finally went to Brendan McSorley, although closely followed by Jonathan Porter and Phillip Wilson. The Valley travel to Virgina next week before their cup match against Lurgan on the 18th.
Sat 4th Jan, 14:30 Clogher Valley 2nds 24 – 12 Bangor 2nds
Clogher Valley 2nd xv 24 Bangor 2nd xv 12
by Bob Beatty
CLICK HERE for the shotssssssssssssssssss
This was a hard earned victory for Andy Breens 2nds against a formidable looking Bangor side.
Second row forward Trimble returning after a lengthy period on the casualty list had a fine showing and opened Cloghers account with a deserved touchdown. The skipper himself who never fails to deliver added a second with fullback Dynes adding a conversion to complete the Valleys first half scoring. Bangor were not to be overrun hitting back with a penalty and a converted try of their own to leave the contest evenly balanced,12 10 at the midway stage.
It was a hard struggle but the Clogher pack gained an edge as the half unfolded. Indeed all fifteen put in a decent shift and the side were to get their rewards. The dynamic Keys crossed as did prop Henderson with Dynes adding a further conversion to seal the victory. Bangor fought tooth and nail to the end and at times it took a great defensive effort to prevent them adding to their tally.
Next week the 2nds are at home to Dromore 2nd xv in the league which is a change to the fixture listed in the book.
Sat 4th Jan, 14:30 Clogher Valley RFC 59 – 0 Limavady
Clogher Valley 59 Limavady 0
by Bob Beatty
The Valley were simply to strong for visitors Limavady in this first round match of the Towns Cup.
It took only three minutes for the home side to register the first score. A Holme penalty to the corner was rewarded with an excellent take and drive, B J Wilson emerging from the bottom of the ruck to claim the opening try. Holme added the touchline conversion.
In the next twenty minutes Limavady produced their best form and really took it to Clogher. The game became a mid-field battle, no quarter asked or given. Gradually though The Valley front eight started to gain the upper hand and encamped themselves deep in the visitors half. Hooker Cobane had to retire with a rib injury which is a worry considering the schedule ahead. The versatile Falconer left the bench to pack down in the backrow while Bennett who started at No 8 returned to his more familiar surroundings of the front row. Clogher had a huge advantage at scrum time and were really putting the squeeze on Limavady. A series of scrums saw the visitors in full retreat before the referee spared their blushes and awarded a penalty try which Holme duly goaled.
Within minutes of the restart Limavady ran out of front row cover and the dreaded non contested rule was introduced. Not for the first time this season Clogher had to switch to plan B which they are growing more confident with as the season progresses. A great strike from deep resulted in Donaldson breaking the line, a clever chip ahead caused sufficient confusion in the rear guard to allow Holme to gather up and dive over for the third try. He then added the conversion to complete the first half scoring.
The second half was seconds old when prop Bennett stormed 30 metres through the visitors defence for a great try which Holme duly goaled. Twenty eight points adrift it was all over for the spirited visitors. The onslaught was to continue. Treanor made a good line break before offloading to Primrose. The young prop returning after several months on the touchline was not to be denied racing away for an excellent score and again Holme added the extras. At this stage with hooker Cobane side lined Clogher were playing with three props. Not to be denied Cloghers most capped prop Moore got in on the act. Capitalising on a poor Limavady lineout he barged over with half the visiting pack on his back. He said. Holmes kick drifted narrowly wide spoiling his, up to that, faultless kicking display.
Returning to the offensive Ryan Wilson rounded off the best score of the day. Countless phases and great support play stretched the beleaguered visitors all over the park before they ran out of bodies allowing the No 8. to cross for a well worked team try. Holme was back on target adding the conversion.
There was to be no respite for Limavady. Their restart was fielded by winger Stafford, He cleverly spun out of the chasers tackle and all of a sudden he was in the clear. Sixty metres later he touched down under the posts giving Holme his easiest conversion of the day.
Substitute Trenier completed the scoring after another well constructed passage of play. With ten minutes left and the result beyond doubt the referee called proceedings to an early conclusion.
Clogher have scored 150 points in their last two games. It will not be repeated over the next two. First up is the visit of high flying Bangor. The seasiders edged the result earlier in the season. Clogher are in a better place now and are determined to succeed in this ‘ must win encounter’ but it will not be easy. Then it is the visit to Portadown where the title could be won or lost. That with a second round towns cup game to come and the All Ireland Junior Final it will be a hectic four weeks of rugby.
