Holme the hero again as Valley stay top
Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00
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PC Falconer is about to be caught by Coleraine's Stuart Simpson.
Clogher Valley 10; Coleraine 7;
Phillip Holme was the hero again for Clogher Valley this week as his late penalty secured another narrow win for the men from the Cran as they remained top of Qualifying One.
The Valley certainly were not at their best in this encounter but they battled it out for the win and that is eaxactly required sometimes in the course of a season. The Towns' Cup this week, away to Lisburn, is sure to be a welcome distraction from the extra pressure of the league, although, as holders, the Valley will be keen to win.
Joint coach Davy Black agrees: "The Towns' Cup will be a welcome break from the pressures of the league and maybe we will be able to express ourselves well in the cup. We are playing a team a section below us but we will not be taking anything for granted because you just can't do that in cup games or else you will lose."
As regards the league, Davy believes the game with Cooke at the Cran will be pivotal.
"It's was great to get the win and stay ahead of Cooke who are really challenging. It is shaping up to the fact that our game with Cooke on February 11 will probably decide who is going to win the league. However, we will concentrate first on the Towns' Cup, It has been good to us over the last few years and we want to do well in it again this year."
On Saturday, the Valley started well, producing an excellent opening quarter and they were on top in all phases of the game but could not breach a determined and aggressive Coleraine defence. B J Wilson and Kyle Cobaine combined to put Wayne Lyons into space but the centre was tackled into touch at the corner flag.
After a sustained period of pressure in the Coleraine half, Wilson brought play into the 22 and several phases later Rodney Bennett bundled over at the posts. Holme added the points and Valley deservedly took a 7-0 lead.
Just when the crowd expected Valley to kick on, Coleraine upped their game and they were able to capitalise on Valley mistakes. A Simpson drop goal drifted wide before Andrews opened the Valley defence with a long pass out left. Slick interpassing by the Coleraine outside backs put Orr in for a converted try at the posts to tie the game.
Coleraine opened the second half as they finished the first with the Valley on the back foot.
However, Falconer relieved the pressure with a trademark steal and break into the Coleraine half. As he was off-loading to the supporting players, the Coleraine number 6, Gibson, cynically intercepted from an off-side position and was consigned to the sin-bin for ten minutes.
Valley continued to dominate territory and possession but could not break through for the decisive score. As frustration set in Valley play became disjointed. Basic errors, wrong options and aimless kicking kept Coleraine in the game. Whenever Valley did get into the 'red zone', possession was invariably coughed up to allow Coleraine to clear their lines.
With the game drifting towards a draw, the stalemate was eventually broken when Holme charged down an attempted clearance kick. Dunn secured the loose ball for his pack and a Coleraine defender came over the top. Just as he has done more than once this season, Holme stepped up in front of a hushed crowd to nail the penalty and maintain Valley's unbeaten record.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12
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