McAleer try seals another win

Editorial Department • Published 25 Mar 2010 10:58 0 Comments

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Letterkenny 2nd XV 7; Clogher Valley 3rd XV 13;

An impressive second half performance from Clogher Valley 3rd XV secured two more league points at Letterkenny.

It was clear, after a strong start from the home team, that this was a much stronger Letterkenny side than the one which had lost heavily in the previous fixture at the Cran.

A Clogher Valley pack featuring two members of the 1993 McCambley Cup team (Keith Irwin and Mark Henderson) and the return of David Robertson after a two year break, took the game to the home side from the start.

After many phases of possession, Valley were awarded a penalty with out-half Millar converting a tricky kick to leave it 3-0 to the visitors.

The sunny day and the firm pitch promoted a fast and furious game with strong runs from Hicks, Forsyth, and Raymond Orr in lively exchanges, threatening the Letterkenny line. After Valley narrowly failed to score at one end of the pitch, a strong counter attack from the home team created havoc in visitor's defence. With the Valley defence on the rack, Letterkenny passed the ball out wide to score a try, which was converted to leave the score at 7-3 - which is how it remained until half-time.

The second half saw a galvanised Valley team attacking the home side at every opportunity. On successive occasions the ball was constantly flashed wide with Nathan Orr, skipper Irwin and Sheenan all prominent. A breakout led by Raymond Orr brought the ball to the Letterkenny 22, and following successive phases, Primrose was on hand to barge over. The try was unconverted to leave the score 8-7 to Valley.

Further Valley pressure ensued, with scrum half Bates pulling the strings as Valley went through the phases. A searing break by Glenn once again brought play into the Letterkenny 22. Following good work by Cobain, who muscled his opposite number off the ball, Valley pressed on the home team's line. The ball came out to prop McAleer who took the ball at pace to sprint over over to increase the score to 13-7 to Valley.

Valley continued to press the home team's defence as the clock ticked down to full time, to give the 3rd XV yet another league victory.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Mar 10

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