Valley beat Dromore 48-10 to go top of league.
by Bob Beatty
In the end an easy victory.
Valley always seems to struggle at Dromore. Today was no different…for a time. Dromore kicked off and Valley coughed up the ball. Dromore attacked and the Valley defence was nowhere when the no 7 cantered over for a try after 2 minutes. Valley had lost the first two lineouts awarded and were missing tackles all over the park. All that was keeping them in the game was the kicking of man of the match out half Philip Holme who kept them going forward despite the poor ball he was receiving.
Holme was well supported by the young second row of McKenna and Treanor who throughout the game won important possession and were heavily involved in much of Valleys best plays.
Valley eventually settled down and managed to force Dromore back on the defence. A good kick to the corner from Holme saw Valley win a lineout close to the line. They moved the ball left and then back right which saw full back Armstrong side step his way to Valleys first try converted by Holme for a 7-7 score line. After 17 minutes Valley took the lead with a Holme penalty and continued to pressure the Dromore line. It was no surprise when Cobane was driven over for a Valley try after 22 minutes and a 15-7 lead. Valley relaxed and allowed Dromore back in the game. On the stroke of half time Dromore reduced the deficit to five points with a penalty in front of the posts.
From the restart Valley started to dominate the game. Though they were still struggling in execution Holme was continuing to kick into good positions and keeping the pressure on Dromore. In the 62 minute Valley won a line out and the forwards put together their best drive of the game to go 30 metres for a score by Sharkey converted by Holme for a 22-10 lead.
In the final quarter Valley cut lose. First Armstrong scored again after 69 minutes with a fine run when put in space and a side step which beat all the Dromore defenders for Valley to gain another four try bonus point. Valley continued to move the ball from their own half and after 72 minutes Stafford was put free on half way. It seemed he could not score but brushing aside three defenders he crashed over in the corner for a fine individual try.
From the restart Dunlop took a good pass from Speer and went on a 60 metre diagonal run which saw him ignore the supporting Stafford and Armstrong to score under the posts beating four defenders in the process with his pace. Then Speer himself decided to get in on the act and broke free down the centre of the park and accelerated from the chasing defenders for Valleys final try and a convincing 48-10 victory to leave Valley a point clear at the top of the league table.
So Valley bounced back from last week’s disappointment at Ballyclare. They are not playing to their full potential but still lead the league. Next week they need to step up another level when they face Kilfeacle from Munster in the All Ireland Qtr. final at the Cran when a large crowd is anticipated.
