Skins and Valley paired in Towns'

Editorial Department • Published 4 Mar 2010 15:05 0 Comments

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It was the draw that neither side wanted at this stage but Clogher Valley and Enniskillen have been paired together in the semi-final of the Powerade Towns' Cup. News of the draw had not filtered down to either club on Wednesday but appeared in the referees appointments of the Ulster Branch website and was later confirmed. The tie is down to be contested on Saturday, March 13 and with Clogher Valley first out of the hat, the game will be played at the Cran and will attract a bumper crowd.

Both clubs would have preferred to have potentially met in the final but the draw does ensure that there will be one representative from the West in the cup final showpiece.

It should also be a close encounter with honours even thus far in the two local derbies to have taken place in the current season with Enniskillen having one the first before Clogher regained local honour just before Christmas.

It has been a frustrating season to date for both team with inconsistent displays in the league but both teams will be keen to end their season on a high and this alone should ensure that the cup semi-final will be quite a game. Add in the passion of a local derby and it should be quite a game.

Meanwhile, Enniskillen were in action on Tuesday night and went down to league leaders City of Derry but produced a much better performance than Saturday's heavy defeat to Dromore (see page 14a).

The final scoreline was a bit harsh with Derry winning by 45-13 with the home team adding 17 points in the final ten minutes. Indeed, the game was still in the melting pot at half-time as Skins trailed 14-7 with John Courtney crossing the try-line after good work in the maul. Skipper Gary Hall kicked the conversion and Skins were right in the game.

An exchange of penalties left the score at 20-10 before the Derry side scored another converted try to make it 28-10.

Hall kicked a penalty for 28-13 but the impressive City of Derry finished strongly to run out winners by 45-13.

Skins remain immersed in the relegation battle lying thrid from bottom (see table page 14a) but they have played more games than their rivals.

A couple of crucial league games are to come while the Towns' Cup draw ensures that it will be a pulsating end to the season for the Mullaghmeen club.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

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