CVRFC 10- Kanturk 9 All Ireland Junior Cup 1st Round.
Valley were forced into three late changes to the pack with Baxter, McKenna and Wilson all unavailable. Treiner moved from centre to No7 with Falconer coming in and Treanor joining Keyes in the second row. The changes made little difference to how Valley played and they continued from last week’s game with slick interchanging between backs and forwards throughout this game.
With the two losing semi-finalist from last year’s competition this game was always going to be a close affair. From the start both defences dominated but Valley managed to get marginally on top and exerted a stranglehold on Kanturk with the forwards continually made inroads with their strong running and support play.
Though Valley were enjoying most of the possession they could not make it count as so often this season the penalty count against them mounted and allowed Kanturk to relieve the pressure. The game was being played mainly in the Kanturk half but there were few clear cut chances for either side in an attritional first half which ended 0-0.
The second half continued in the same way though Valley were making good use of the rolling substitution rule to reinforce their forward momentum. Eventually after 55 minutes Valley took the lead when from a lineout in the Kanturk 22 the forwards drove to the line and when the ball was recycled Falconer crashed over for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The watching spectators expected Valley to kick on from this but instead Kanturk rallied and played some of their best rugby to put pressure on a Valley side which became strangely subdued. With the penalty count still escalating Kanturk took advantage and went into the lead 9-5 with penalties in the 61st, 71st and 74th minute. It appeared that Valley were going to lose a game that they had dominated.
From the restart Valley recovered the ball and drove deep into Kanturk 22 with both forwards and backs supporting each other. Kanturk defended well but the Valley power was not to be stopped and eventually the pack drove over for a second unconverted try in the 78th minute to lead 10-9.
Still there was time for Kanturk to come back. They forced Valley into some desperate defence on their own line. Although Valley managed to relieve the pressure in the closing moments Kanturk had a lineout on the 5 metre line. Their catch and drive was stopped and the ball was recycled to the backs. Valley were up quickly and managed to force the Kanturk centre to knock on and the referee’s final whistle was joyfully greeted by both players and supporters.
Once again Valley demonstrated, as so often in recent years, the ability to raise the tempo of their game at critical times to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
For Valley the pack was outstanding with captain for the day Sharkey leading by example and ably supported by Primrose, Cobane and man of the match Keys. In the backs Falconer’s tackling and runs caused Kanturk problems at all times whilst Holme’s kicking for position and link play was exceptional.
Next Saturday Valley return to the Cran with a league game against Coleraine.
