Clogher Valley suffered defeat in the opening game in the All Ireland League Qualifers in Dublin on Saturday, but joint coach Davy Black felt that his side showed enough quaity in the game to suggest that they are more than capable of competing at this level with two more games to come in the round robin competition.

And the big games continue to come thick and fast for Clogher this weekend with a trip to Ballymena to take on Balymena IIs in the Powerade Towns’ Cup semi-final.

On Saturday’s defeat, Black commented: “We made two mistakes and at this level if you make those mistakes you are likely to get punished for them. In saying that though, I couldn’t say enough about the effort that the boys put in. Wanderers are a very strong, physical side, bigger than us, but we matched them and we showed that we can compete at this level. I thought the boys fought magnificently.” Valley will be back on the road this week but he stresses that they will be keen to secure a place in the Towns’ Cup final.

“Saturday is a massive game for us and is as important as any game. We are in the semi-final and the aim now is to go on and get to the final. We’ll be looking to patch up a few boys and give it a real go,” he said.

Last Saturday, Valley played on the all-weather pitch at the Aviva Stadium. It took time to adapt to the surface and the opening exchanges were all Wanderers as their huge pack dictated play. Valley were hanging on but two excellent relieving kicks from Holme settled the side and slowly they began to control possession. The opening scrums saw the power of the Wanderers pack as Valley only just retained possession. As usual Ryan Wilson came to the rescue as he picked up from the base of the scrum and drove 20 metres. He was supported by Sharkey and then Todd and when Wanderers infringed Valley had the first chance but the difficult kick was just wide.

Valley were controlling possession from loose and lineouts but in the scrums Wanderers were well on top. Wanderers won a scrum against the head and only some desperate Valley defence stopped them scoring. Though the Wanderers scrum half had knocked on during the move Valley were penalised for offside and Wanderers led 3-0 in their first real attack.

Valley returned to the attack and with Holme kicking well for position put real pressure on Wanderers. A rolling maul was just stopped short and then a back move created space but the final pass went forward. Valley were starting to dominate but Wanderers were dangerous on the counter attack and from one foray kicked another penalty to lead 6-0.

Just before half time prop Moore, who had an injury going into the game, was replaced by Bennett but within minutes he had incurred a serious rib injury which saw Moore having to return to play. Even with this disruption, at half time Valley, though trailing, were confident of winning the game.

At the start of the second half Moore had to leave the field again and the game resorted to uncontested scrums which probably favoured Valley a little.

Valley continued to press forward and began to find gaps in Wanderers defence. It was no surprise when a flowing movement between forwards and backs saw full back Armstrong burst through for a Valley try. With Holme making the conversion from a difficult position Valley led 7-6 and were well placed to carry on and win the game.

Lady luck was not going to smile on Valley though. From the restart, and with confidence high, Valley launched another attack. A grubber kick behind the Wanderers defence would have probably led to another Valley score. However the kick hit an outstretched Wanderers foot and bounced kindly up in the air for the Wanderers centre to collect and with Valley flat footed he ran 50 metres for a converted try and a 13-7 lead against the run of play.

When Wanderers added another penalty to lead 16-7 the game was effectively over. Valley returned to the attack but when the Wanderers No 8 picked up from a scrum on half way Valley missed tackles and he went 40 metres unchallenged. He had sufficient supporting players to score another try.

Valley continued to throw the ball around and their backs easily eclipsed a much vaunted Wanderers backline but having played twice as many games as Wanderers this season the energy was not there to get that extra yard of space.

So Valley got nothing from a game which deserved at least a losing bonus point.

Two small mistakes were capitalised on by Wanderers at critical periods in the game. For Wanderers, ex-Valley player Adam Duhig at hooker was outstanding against his old club.

Valley can be proud of their performance but in reality will now have to win both remaining games to have any hope of qualifying for AIL rugby next season.