Todd hat-trick adds to Valley power
Editorial Department • Published 12 Jan 2012 13:00
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Andy Donaldson puts in a tackle for Clogher Valley second string during their hard fought win over Ballyclare as Josh Gibbs supports in the background.
Clogher Valley 2nd XV 28; Ballyclare 2nd XV 15;
A superb hat-trick of tries from Clogher Valley winger Keith Todd not only fired Clogher Valley 2nd XV into the second round of the Crawford Cup but also signalled that the Valley have much strength in depth and his performance would no doubt have been noticed by the 1st XV selectors.
Indeed, Todd was not on his own in terms of superb displays following a hard fought encounter which could have gone either way in the final quarter but Todd's finishing ability stood out and he was well backed up by the likes of Hamish McClennan and Henry Richmond.
Moreover, the Valley got off to the perfect start when Ballyclare knocked on the kick off and the forwards stole possession.The ball was moved in field and Keith Todd came off his wing to scythe through a pedestrian defence and score at the posts. Chris Dynes added the points for a 7-0 lead in the first minute.
Despite losing a man to the sin-bin, Ballyclare came back strongly and after a period of pressure in the Valley 22 the out-half dropped a goal to reduce the defecit to 7-3.
Disaster struck for Valley after 20 minutes when the Ballyclare winger intercepted a speculative pass on half way and ran in unopposed for a converted try and a 7-10 lead. Further Ballyclare indiscipline resulted in another player in the bin and this time Valley took full advantage. Number eight Hamish McClennan picked up from a scrum and broke on the blind side. He drew the winger before sending Todd away with only the full back to beat. The experienced winger stepped inside the tackle and dotted down near the posts for his second try. Dynes made it 14-10 as half time beckoned. Both teams missed penalties and the score remained the same at the half-time whistle.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair with both teams aware of the importance of the next score and it was McClennan who broke the deadlock with a superb individual try. He raced down the left wing and bounced two would-be tacklers to score in the corner. Dynes made up for two earlier misses with a fine touchline conversion and the Valley now led 21-10.
It was now Valley's turn to incur the wrath of the referee. Numerous penalties kept Ballyclare encamped on the Valley line and despite some heroic tackling led by Henry Richmond, the visitors eventually went in for an unconverted try in the corner to make it 21-15 and only put one score between the teams.
Ballyclare continued to throw everything into attack to try and rescue the game. Howverm a loose pass in the Valley 22 was hacked forward by Andy Donaldson. He kicked on towards the Ballyclare line where the winger had the danger covered. However,the ball rebounded off the post and Todd pounced for his third try which Dynes again converted.
Valley were safe now at 28-15 with the game in its final minute.
Ballyclare had a final throw of the dice in the Valley 22 which resulted in a harsh yellow card for Richmond - perhaps a reflection of the sterling defensive effort he was putting in. Despite scoring a hat-trick of tries, Todd was pipped for man of the match by McClennan in what was an excellent all around team performance.
FIXTURES
1st XV - CIYMS (away)
2nd XV - No game
3rd XV - Portadown 4 (home) Forster Cup
U19 Omagh (home)
Youth - Cavan (away)
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 12 Jan 12
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