More Ravenhill heartache for Valley

Editorial Department • Published 8 Apr 2010 15:52 0 Comments

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Team effort was 'brilliant' - Davy

Powerade Towns' Cup 2010

It was Ravenhill heartache once again for Clogher Valley as they lost yet another cup final at headquarters by just a single point following a pulsating Bank Holiday Monday battle. Indeed, if Ravenhill is Valley's bogey venue then Ballymoney is Valley's bogey opponents. Six times in the last two seasons, Valley have lost to Ballymoney by the odd score and unfortunately that was repeated on the biggest stage of all on Monday.

It really was an enthralling final between two evenly matched teams.

With Clogher Valley playing into a strong wind in the opening period they found themselves immediately on the back foot, although they had the blustery conditions to thank for a missed Ballymoney penalty with just two minutes on the clock. With the wind making kicking for touch a difficult and rarely exercised tactic, Clogher Valley were trying to hold onto the ball for long periods, but they found their defences breached after 25 minutes when Jason Taggart touched down for Ballymoney after their number eight had been held up just short of the line. The try was unconverted buy Ballymoney had drawn first blood.

As the half progressed, the Valley came more into the game and Jonathan McClure came close to opening their account just before the interval but the score remained 5-0 to 'Money at the break.

Despite drawing a blank in the first period Clogher must have been confident of overhauling a five point deficit with the wind at their backs, and it took just two minutes of the second half for them to edge ahead, BJ Wilson emerging from a maul to touch down under the posts. Aaron Best converted the try to open his account for the day.

Immediately after the restart, Ally Breen sent a testing kick into the 'Money 22 and Gary Andrews was first up to tackle full back Cleland and force a Valley scrum five metres out. Ballymoney, however, were awarded a penalty for "collapsing" much to the consternation of the large Valley support. Why a dominant Valley scrum would want to collapse in such a dangerous position could only be answered by the referee?

Andy Breen has been an influential figure in recent Towns' Cup matches, scoring in a previous final as well as this year's semi final and he kept his run going with another try midway through the second half. Intercepting a pass on his own 10 metre line, the winger raced the length of the field to increase their advantage, and the conversion put Clogher Valley 14-5 ahead.

Ballymoney hit back quickly with a penalty, but once again Clogher took the initiative and drove forward, with hooker Andy Duhig coming agonisingly close to what could have been a decisive try.

It was to prove a pivotal moment of the contest, with Ballymoney piling on the pressure in search of much needed points. Their score eventually came with ten minutes remaining through flanker Hanna and the conversion from Irwin in front of the posts sealed their fate to give Ballymoney as 15-14 lead.

Despite late pressure from Clogher the Ballymoney defence held firm against the onslaught to claim their first ever Towns' Cup success and send the defeated side home frustrated from Ravenhil again.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Apr 10

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