Clogher rue yellow as Rainey grab late win

Editorial Department • Published 26 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Action from Clogher Valleys games against Rainey Old Boys.

Clogher Valley opened their season in Magherafelt with the Annual Derek Lee Cup fixture against Rainey Old Boys. Despite being without the services of last year’s Captain Gary Giles, Chris and Mattie Robinson, B.J. and Ryan Wilson, Henry Richmond, Gary Andrews and Ivan Dunn, for various reasons, the young, inexperienced pack were more than a match for the All-Ireland Three outfit.

From a turnover scrum Ally Breen broke from the Valley 22 and kicked deep into the Rainey 22 to force a Valley lineout. New Skipper Sharkey claimed clean ball and after several forward drives Philip Moore forced his way over for the game’s opening try. Bothwell’s conversion attempt rebounded off the upright. 0 -5 to Valley after 10 minutes.

The Valley forwards continued to dominate possession and two minutes later, after good work by McAleer, Trimble and Keys, Bennett drove over for Valley’s second try in the left hand corner. Bothwell’s difficult conversion shaved the post and the Rainey crowd were shell-shocked at the Valley start.

A feature of the Valley play was the effective counter rucking by the forwards with Matthew Keys, Johnny Trimble and Ronan McAleer to the fore. Skipper Sharkey, playing at openside, showed what a versatile player he is with a typical all-action display. Guildford’s accurate throwing and sound striking enabled Valley to secure their own possession.

Slowly the Rainey forwards came into the game and a quick tap penalty saw their No.8 force his way over for the host’s first try after 32 minutes. Ex Derry out half O’Connor slotted the conversion to narrow the score to 7-10.

Three minutes later Bennett stole possession on the Rainey 22 and Aaron Best put a delicate chip behind the Rainey defence Wayne Lyons won the race for the touch down to score Valley’s third try. Bothwell’s excellent conversion gave Valley a 7-17 half time lead.

The second half continued in the same vein with good continuity play between forwards and backs. A Bothwell penalty attempt after 10 minutes went wide but Valley were in control. Rainey had a few opportunities to close the gap, but a combination of good defence and good luck kept Valley’s line intact. Rainey wasted a 3 v 0 overlap by passing the ball into touch!

The turning point of the game came with 15 minutes to go whan Philip Moore was yellow-carded for an offence at the break down. No previous warning had been given to either side. A harsh decision in a game of this nature. McAleer left the field injured and a reshuffle of the forwards saw the impressive Bennett move from No. 8 to prop and Stafford summoned from the adjacent seconds match. The tiring 14 man Valley team defended manfully with Johnny McClure and Andy Breen putting in some big hits, but eventually the pressure told and a pushover try and two late breakaway tries, two of which O’Connor converted, gave the home side a very flattering 33-17 win.

The Valley coaching staff would have taken a lot of positives out of the game as Valley were the better side with a full compliment of players. All the youngsters certainly put their hands up for selection ahead of the League campaign which starts at Cooke on September 4. This Saturday Valley travel to Omagh to Contest the John Rainey Cap.

Valley seconds went down narrowly to their Rainey counterparts 14-7. Two converted tries down at half time Valley produced a fighting second half display inspired by Chris Boyd at out half and Jimmy Bates at first centre. Henry got the try and Boyd an excellent touch line conversion as Valley so nearly tied the game.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Aug 10

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