Sat 2nd Nov, 2:30pm. Kukri Qualifying 1. Clogher Valley 32 – 8 Coleraine
Valley make hard work of a 32-8 win against Coleraine.
by Bob Beatty
Following last week’s efforts in the All-Ireland Junior Cup Valley were lacklustre and the usual cohesion was missing.
Partly this was as a result of more enforced changes with Sharkey missing and Primrose with Holme joining the lengthening injury list. However they were able to welcome back Armstrong at full back.
From the start Valley were making errors and allowing Coleraine backs to make huge inroads with missed tackles and poor defensive alignment. Though Valley did take the lead with a penalty by Best after 3 minutes it was soon equalised with a Coleraine penalty after 6 mins.
Valley were struggling to get into their game and were constantly frustrated by the Coleraine breakaway forwards who with their backs seemed to be able to break the Valley line at will. In the 17th min acting Captain and man of the match BJ Wilson had to make a superb midfield tackle to stop a certain Coleraine score. The remainder of the half was one of Valley toil and the occasional break from Coleraine. Valley pack were dominating the scrums and McKenna was winning good line out ball but there were too many poor passes and option taking.
However in the closing minutes of the half Valley from a lineout in the Coleraine 22 were able to put 3-4 phrases of forward drives together and when the ball was moved wide centre Falconer came deep from the blindside wing and was able to drive over for Valley’s first try. Best converted and Valley led somewhat luckily 10-3 at half time.
The game changed on the restart. Valley showed much improved handling, despite the intense rain, and after 46 mins Coleraine lost their influential No 7 to the sin bin. Valley immediately took advantage and after the penalty to touch the lineout drove deep into Coleraine territory. Here they were awarded a penalty and opted for a 5 metre scrum. Captain Wilson drove for the line and when the ball was released Best went through a small gap for a converted try and a 17-3 lead.
Valley continued with the forward pressure and added another try after 56 minutes when prop Moore was driven over by the rest of the pack. Straight from the restart a fine take by McKenna was carried on by Cobain and Keyes who was able to release the supporting Speers into space. With the gap created Valley were lethal. Speers drew defenders and released Dunlop who fixed the winger and full back and timed a fine pass to Donaldson who fended of a defender and went 30 metres over in the corner for the bonus point try and a 27-3 lead. The first time the Valley backs had seen quick and usable ball and they demonstrated their potential.
Valley then became complacent and allowed Coleraine much more possession. Though the Valley defence was much better Coleraine eventually scored a consolation try in the 77th minute when their No 11 brushed aside some ineffectual Valley tackling. This seemed to goad Valley and they immediately replied with a try from Wilson in the final minutes and a 32-8 winning score line.
Again Valley ground out a comfortable victory despite being “out of sorts” and still missing key personnel. Next week Coaches Kyle and Black know the side will have to raise their game substantially if they are to win a tough McCall Wylie Junior Cup Qtr. final at Ballyclare.
