Hard fought win for Clogher ahead of crucial Cooke clash
Editorial Department • Published 9 Feb 2012 13:00
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Portadown 12; Clogher Valley 16;
Clogher Valley were made to battle hard for their victory away to Portadown on Saturday, but win it they did and they can now look forward to a vital top of the table clash with Cooke at The Cran this Saturday as top meet second.
Saturday's meeting between the top two in the table will not decide who wins the title but it will certainly go some way towards giving an indication as to where the destination of the league crown is likely to be and it has the makings of a great contest.
Last Saturday, despite the torrential rain-storm just before kick off at Chambers Park, Clogher Valley started brightly and enjoyed an early monopoly of possession and territory.
As the Valley forwards pounded the Portadown line the home defence held out, if at times, somewhat illegally. A series of penalties were conceded and Valley chose the scrum option instead of taking the three points on offer. This decision was rewarded when the ball was moved left and Dunlop sent left winger Todd in for the try in the fifth minute. Holme's touch-line conversion was off target.
Valley continued to enjoy territorial advantage but two quick penalties against the visitors handed the initiative back to Portadown. What appeared to be two good turnovers by Matty Robinson and Philip Falconer while still on their feet were deemed to be illegal and Portadown had a lineout ten metres from the Valley line. The Portadown forwards drove over the Valley line for hooker Allister to claim the try. Cousins added the extras and the home side were 7-5 in front in the 20th minute after their first visit to the Valley 22.
Valley again went on the attack and put together some good phases with the forwards retaining possession and Portadown tackling anything that moved. On the stroke of half time Valley were driving a scrum towards the Portadown line with No. 8 Ryan Wilson controlling the ball. Just when a try looked certain, Portadown Captain McCoy broke his bind and kicked the ball away without so much as a reprimand from the official. A professional foul if ever there was one, but he got away with it and saved his side seven points.
It was the same pattern at the start of the second half with Portadown defending bravely in their own 22. Eventually a penalty was conceded and Holme obliged to put Valley 7-8 ahead after five minutes. Holme was off target with another penalty attempt as Valley continued to press. Bennett claimed a loose ball on half way and thundered forward.
Sharkey was up in support and when he was dragged down, Bates popped to Moore. He in turn fed Todd and full back Lyons came up on his shoulder at pace.
When Lyons was tackled just short of the line, Falconer picked up and powered over for an excellent team try. Holme hit the bar with the conversion and Valley were 7-13 up.
Portadown were immediately gifted possession when Valley failed to claim the kick off. At the resulting scrum Valley were penalised and Portadown kicked to the corner.
The lineout ball was moved left and O'Kane went over in the corner for an unconverted try to make it 12-13 with ten minutes to go.
Valley resumed normal service with further pressure on the Portadown line and Holme stretched the Valley lead with another penalty.
Valley were the reduced to 14 men when Moore was carded for exchanging pleasantries with his opposite number.
Valley were soon encamped on the Portadown line as the game was coming to an end.
An altercation under the Portadown posts saw Valley second row Robinson and Portadown hooker Allister red-carded to spoil what was a hard-fought but clean game of rugby.
Valley played the last couple of minutes with 13 men but were deserved winners in the end.
All roads therefore lead to The Cran on Saturday where Cooke will be determined to get revenge for the defeat against Valley at Shaws Bridge on New Years Eve.
The congested fixture list and the imposition of a March 3 deadline by the Ulster Branch will mean two games per week in the run in - enough to test the resources of any Club.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Feb 12
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