The score does not reflect the Valley dominance in this game. Portadown were rarely in the game and as the match progressed it was only a matter of how many points Valley would score.
Valley started well receiving the kick off and were quickly into the Portadown 22 where they won a penalty converted by Holme for an early 3-0 lead. The conditions were poor and the game was stop/start. As the game progressed Portadown resorted to a kicking game with any possession they had but Stafford, Donaldson and Holme returned these with interest. Valley were struggling a little in the scrum but Ryan Wilson was able to recover the ball even though going backwards and made significant progress over the gain line on each occasion. Valley were dominating the line out with man of the match Sharkey stealing Portadown ball at will. Valley were starting to control the game and Holme added another penalty for a 6-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Portadown had still not gotten into the Valley half and it was no surprise when Home added another penalty for a Valley 9-0 lead after 33 minutes. Unfortunately Valley relaxed and the next 7 minutes nearly allowed Portadown back in the game with silly penalties and uncharacteristic mistakes in options taking. Portadown could have gone into half time level but McVitty missed two difficult penalty kicks from three to leave half time 9-3 to Valley.
After half time Valley did not repeat the mistakes. The forwards controlled possession and a series of rolling mauls had Portadown in trouble. Valley were clinical in their finishing as the forwards recycled quickly and Falconer drove over for a try and a 14-3 lead after 52 minutes.
Valley returned to the attack and should have scored but a Portadown player illegally intercepted the ball in an offside position, with the Referee unsighted, Portadown moved the ball 70 metres to the Valley 22 where a penalty halted their progress. Valley took the penalty quickly and after a forward drive that man Sharkey emerged to dive over for Valley’s second try and a 19-3 lead after 64 minutes to effectively kill the game. Even then Valley upped the tempo of their game and with Bennett replacing Moore created numerous gaps in the Portadown defence but could not apply the finishing touches.
With 4 minutes left Portadown had a line out in the Valley 22 and their forwards managed to rumble over for a converted consolation try.
This was the first try Valley had conceded in 700 minutes of rugby and only the ninth this season in 22 games.
Effectively the conditions dictated the game and the Valley defence, with centre Dunlop outstanding, strangled any Portadown initiatives. Portadown had five ex Enniskillen players in their ranks and even their endeavours against an “auld “foe were of no avail.
Valley showed in this game their character. It was another excellent all round team performance. Their ball retention in difficult conditions was excellent and although not a day for the backs, their ability to turn defence into attack was impressive.
So Valley move 6 points clear at the top with five games remaining. However they will not be complacent and as there are two other competitions still too play for will take each game as it comes. Next week’s Towns Cup game at Ballyclare is next on the punishing schedule followed by Enniscorthy in the All-Ireland Junior cup final on 1st February at Coolmine.
10 – 5 Sat 18th Jan, 13:00 Clogher Valley U13’s vLur U13’sgan
Clogher Valley U13s 10 Lurgan U13s 5
by Bob Beatty
The Valley ‘babes’ progressed through to the second round of the cup on Saturday morning coming out on top of a much bigger Lurgan side.
It was always going to be a battle but these boys have it by the bucket load. They competed fanatically at every phase and in the end got the result they richly deserved. Finbar McElroy opened their account after a sweeping backline move had created space for the nifty winger. Tom Morton added a second before half time to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The second half was a superb defensive campaign. Skipper Robbie Mills led by example tackling everything that moved. Zak Kyle was also in the thick of the action effecting some crucial turnovers and making several important tackles. Daniel Cullinan despite being injured returned to the action and played a vital role in achieving the final result. Lurgan did cross for a try but couldn’t add a second and its Clogher who go forward to the next round.
