Triple try blast wins all-Western Towns' shoot-out

Editorial Department • Published 18 Mar 2010 14:41 0 Comments

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Enniskillen's M O'Callaghan and G Hall fail to bring down Clogher's Ivan Dunn at the Cran on Saturday.

Clogher Valley 1st XV 33; Enniskillen 1st XV 20;

Clogher Valley emerged victorious from the all-Western shoot-out at the Cran on Saturday to see which of the two local rugby sides would make it to the showpiece final on Easter Monday.

Indeed, the game was firmly in the melting pot into the second half with the Skins leading by 13-12 but Clogher turned on the style thereafter crossing for three quick-fire tries from which a reeling Skins could not respond. Skins did plunder a last minute score but it was merely of consolational value as the Valley progress to the decider in an attempt to lift the cup they won for the first time back in 2007.

After a nervous start by Clogher Valley, their forwards settled to their task and good work by Giles, Duhig and Sharkey brought play into Skins territory. A knock-on in front of the posts gave Skins the scrum however Valley turned over the scrum and moved the ball right where Duhig powered over from short range. Wayne Lyons converted to give Valley an early 7-0 lead.

Skins were back on level terms five minutes later thanks to the vision of out-half Nicky Finlay. The forwards, much like their Valley counterparts, set up pressure with some good ball retention and from midfield Finlay placed his chip behind the right winger for Gavin Parke to win the race for the touchdown in the corner. Finlay himself added an excellent conversion to tie the score up at 7-7 after 20 minutes.

Philip Falconer then turned over Enniskillen ball and Dunlop, Wilson and Bates combined to bring Valley back into the Enniskillen 22. Quick scrum ball was moved out right and Dunlop squeezed in for a try which went unconverted. Again Skins fought back and Finlay kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time to leave the score 12-10.

Two minutes into the second half further Valley indiscipline allowed Finlay to add another penalty for Enniskillen to take the lead for the first time 12-13.

With the game firmly in the melting pot, the Valley forwards began to reassert themselves and from a scrum just outside the Enniskillen 22 Andy Breen cut a great line to take an inside pass from Falconer to score at the posts. Lyons' conversion made the score 19-13 to Valley.

Ryan Bell replaced the injured Gary Andrews in the front row as Valley continued to press. Valley were awarded a penalty after a Sharkey lineout steal but Lyons' attempt drifted wide.

Aaron Best then replaced Jimmy Bates at scrum half before the major turning point of the game. Skins spilled the ball on halfway and Giles kicked ahead into the Skins 22. He got his foot to the ball again and Dunlop showed a great turn of pace to win the foot race for the touchdown. Lyons conversion stretched Valleys lead to 26-13 and they had one foot in the final at this stage.

With the Valley forwards in complete control, slick interpassing between Dunn, Richmond, Duhig and Moore sent Sharkey galloping through for another try at the posts. The conversion brought the score to 33-13 leaving Skins with a lot to do. Skins responded well and finished the game playing better rugby in the final seven or so minutes than they had for the previous 30, and after Valley were reduced to fourteen men through injury, the forwards took a leaf out of the Clogher Valley playbook, and scrummaged and rucked their way close to the line creating an overlap for Mark O'Shea to cross for the try. Saul Shanahan added the extra points to make the final score a more respectable 33-20.

And so Valley will progress to the final and they will be hoping to mae a second final this week when they travel to Ballymoney for the Junior Cup semi-final. Valley players and coaches know that this will be a difficult encounter, having lost to Ballymoney in the last two seasons.

Skins will now have to regroup, and their day was not helped by the news that Limavady had leapfrogged them in the league with a bonus point win pushing Skins to second bottom with all to play for when Limavady travel to Mullaghmeen at the end of March for the final league game.

As such then, both teams have much left to play for as the season reaches the business end.

Enniskillen Fixtures

Saturday, March 21

3rd XV - Away - Grosvenor

Mini Rugby - Home - Letterkenny

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 18 Mar 10

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