Clogher Valley 1st XV 6 Ballyclare 1st XV 28

It’s starting to look bleak for Clogher Valley at the bottom of the Ulster Championship Division One table as they lost to title chasing Ballyclare at the Cran on Tuesday evening. 
Ballyclare won by 28-6 to consign the Valley to their 12th defeat of the campaign and coach Davy Black admits they are now on the brink of a drop to the second tier. 
“To be realistic, we have to win our final three games and hope that Enniskillen don’t win either of their last two games to get above them. We obviously will give it all we have to stay up but we need things to go our way,” admitted Black. “It was a disappointing defeat on Tuesday evening to Ballyclare but I honestly thought the boys performed well. You could see that Ballyclare are a team used to winning and we are not. I thought that stood out.” 
He added: “We matched them especially in the first half but we gifted them two tries, the first after an attempted penalty came back off the post and we were too slow to react and then just before half-time another mistake and they punished us to lead 14-6. The second half was tougher but they scored late on which was a bit harsh. I thought some of our young lads played really well and that augurs well for the future. We will keep figthing on though.” 
Neil Trotter kicked the Valley into an early lead as they impressed in the opening quarter and brought the game to Ballyclare. Much of the good work was undone, however, when a Robert Smith penalty from Ballyclare hit the upright and Michael Kirk reacted quickest to snap up the ball and cross for a try. Smith converted and the Valley trailed 7-3. 
Valley did push for a score of the own and did create some promising positions but could not breakdown the visiting defence. 
Ballyclare pounced for a crucial score just before the break as they pushed Valley off their own scrum and Dave Clark picked up and dived over the line to score. Smith again converted for 14-6 at the break. 
Two further converted tries in the second half for Ballyclare sealed the 28-6 win and left the Valley on the brink.