Sat 8th Feb, 14:30 Kukri Qualifying 1.
Clogher Valley 41 – 8 C.I.Y.M.S.
Valley add another 5 league points with 41-8 win over CIYMS
by Bob Beatty
After last weeks All Ireland defeat this was a potential banana skin for Valley in their hunt for the league title.
CI started best and Valley were making some mistakes. CI kicked to the Valley corner and though Valley won the lineout they then dropped the ball for a scrum 5 to CI. When the CI no 8 picked up and went over for a try on the blind side without a Valley defender touching him the outlook for Valley was ominous after only 2 minutes.
This was the wakeup call Valley needed. From the restarted they disrupted the CI ball and Ryan Wilson picked up and drove 15 metres. This was carried on by prop Bennett and after several slick phases of forward momentum Bennett was on hand for the first Valley try converted by Armstrong.
The game then became literally bogged down in midfield with a heavy rain downpour. Both sides were struggling to hold the slippery ball but in the scrum CI held a slight advantage. After 10 minutes CI were awarded a penalty in front of posts, virtually on half way, and despite the conditions kicked this to lead 8-7.
Valley again responded immediately when another phase of forward play saw Bennett score another converted try for a Valley lead. It was now all Valley.
They should have scored again when an overlap was missed in the backs but all the possession was theirs. Eventually they won a penalty in front of the posts and Armstrong converted to give Valley a 17-8 lead after 20 minutes.
Valley reclaimed the restart and again the two Wilson bothers carried the ball back well. The ball was recycled to centre Falconer and he drove through 20 metres with several CI players hanging on. When the ball was recycled Valley moved along the backs and with some slick handling winger Donaldson went over in the corner and Valley now led 22-8.
Valley again returned to the attack and after winning a 5 metre scrum were held up just over the line. Unfortunately prop Bennett, who had a fine game, was injured and had to be replaced by Moore. CI managed to scramble the ball clear and kicked deep where the ball was fielded by man of the match Best. He put a chip kick behind the CI advancing defence and with Sharkey in hot pursuit CI were forced to concede another scum 5. Again Valley set the ball up well and moved the ball left and then right. When it came back left prop Primrose saw a gap and dived over for another converted try and Valley led 29-8 and had another try scoring bonus point achieved after 35 minutes.
Even then Valley were not finished in the half. Again they returned to the attack and again Ryan Wilson made the hard yards. When the ball was moved right Armstrong kicked through which rebounded of a defenders leg and straight into centre Dunlop’s arms for him to run in from 30 metres and a Valley half time lead of 34-8.
The game was effectively over and although CI tried hard in the second half they made little headway against the Valley defence. Valley were playing well within themselves and it was no surprise when they added to their total after 55 minutes. In a training ground move the ball was released to centre Falconer who powered through a gap fully 30 metres from the line. Despite CI attempted tackles he continued to drive for the line and eventually drove over with two would be tacklers hanging on. He certainly was not going to pass to supporting colleagues! Valley led 41-8.
Valley then rang the changes as the coaches chose to move personnel to positions they may have to play if injuries to squad players occurs. On came young scrum half Ellis, (who made some superb tackles against big forwards in his twenty minute cameo), Best moving to out half, Armstrong moving to full back and Speers moving to centre to replace Falconer.
With the game won Valley started to pick up some worrying injuries to Ryan Wilson, Sharkey and Moore. Though they did not have to leave the field there will be a concern with a difficult away game to Donaghadee next week.
The 2nds beat Ballymoney 2nds in a rearranged Crawford Cup game 20-12 to reach the Qtr. finals. The 3rds game was postponed.
