Clogher Valley 2nds 43 Dungannon 3rds 7
This was the best performance of the season from Valley 2nds who revenged a recent league defeat by the visitors in emphatic fashion in this Crawford Plate tie.
With 1stXV coaches and players watching the young and relatively inexperienced 2nds laid down a marker for the future.
Though Dungannon had the larger pack it did not matter to the Valley pack who, whilst held in the scrum, dominated the lineout, where Mulligan stole at least 4 Dungannon throws, and the loose where the backrow of Alex and Ian McKeown with Clarke knocked back everything at moved able supported by the other forwards.
Behind the scrum Trotter at scrum half showed his potential and the experienced Glenn and Speers used his service to perfection to keep the pressure on.
Valley were on top from the start but only led 5-0 after a rolling maul saw Clarke drive through for a try. They added to this after 20 mins when a deft chip from Potter led to left winger McKeown score a try then converted by Potter for a 12-0 lead.
Clark scored again after 31 minutes when a line out move saw him drive through the centre of the Dungannon defence after Trotter had provided the impetus with a deft chip which forced the Dungannon defence to scramble into touch. Again Trotter converted and Valley led 19-0.
Before half time Trotter added another try himself. Valley defence had knocked the ball free on half way when he managed to hack through and then win the race for the line. Half time arrived with Valley well in control at 24-0.
Some of the Valley rugby had been sublime in the first half and it continued after half time. Valley bombarded the Dungannon line and pulled them all over the pitch to eventually release that man Trotter again for a try in the corner and a 29-0 lead.
Valley continued with excellent recycling between backs and forwards, (it was not always evident who was playing where the movement was so fluent!). Again Clarke made the gap and McKenna squeezed through for another try. McGinley converted and Valley led 36-0 after 57 minutes. Unfortunately in off-loading Clarke sustained a serious ankle injury and had to be replaced.
Shortly after Dungannon gained a consolation converted try when Valley lost composure in defence for the only time in the game.
Valley completed the scoring in the final minutes when Speers picked up at the base of a ruck and spotting a gap scampered over for another try converted by McGinley and a 43-7 victory.
This season Valley have added coaching staff to concentrate on the 2nds on Thursday night training. This is starting to pay real dividends as the majority of the side are now training and the skills level and cohesion is improving with every game.
