Clogher Valley shrugged aside a poor start in which they fell 12-0 behind to record a 19-12 win away to Cooke on Saturday, a result that keeps them on the heels of leaders Instonians in Kukri Qualifying League One.

And the big games keep coming for the Cran based outfit this Saturday when they take on Connemara All Blacks for a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup semi-finals.

Clogher joint coach Davy Black stresses that his side face a massive test at the Cran this Saturday but that they are looking to take another step towards a return to the final.

“We were finalists last year and we would love to go that one step further this time around but this is the All Ireland Junior Cup and all the best Juniors teams are there so there are no easy games and it is all about taking it one step at a time,” he said.

“Connemara were a senior side a couple of years ago and they will be comfortable on their travels. They are also unbeaten all season so we are under no illusions about the size of the task but we have home advantage and we have to try and stamp our authority early in the game. Hopefully we will have the guile and that bit if luck to get us through,” added Black.

On Saturday Clogher had to show battling qualities to get back into the game and although they missed out on a bonus point, Black was simply pleased to get the win.

“We were forced into a number of positional changes and we found ourselves 12-0 down as it took us time to adapt. Our forwards though began to get on top and we started to dominate and finally we got the result. We missed out on the bonus point, but a bonus point is just that, a bonus. The win was the important thing and we’re delighted to get that,” he commented.

Valley started poorly, dropping the kick off and then poorly defending a scrum which saw Cooke engineer an overlap. Luckily for Valley, Leinster referee Colm Dawson, who was impressive throughout, was well positioned to spot the forward pass and deny the try.

Cooke continued to play impressive and intelligent rugby and with out-half Elliott dictating play, continued to pressure an out of sorts Valley side that was missing tackles all around the park. Valley managed a number of pick and goes which gained ground but these were infrequent and it was no surprise when Cooke scored in the corner to lead 5-0.

Cooke continued to dictate the game and scored another try which was converted to lead 12-0 after 30 minutes.

As half time approached Valley started to get some shape to their game, with man of the match hooker Cobane heavily involved, and made some inroads to Cooke 22.

Here they went through a number of phases before being awarded a scrum. With Moore now having replaced an injured McAleer the Valley scrum drove Cooke backwards and No 8 Wilson picked up and went over for a try, converted by Armstrong, with the last play of the half.

As the second half started it was immediately apparent that the Valley coaches’ words at half time were having an effect. Valley were much better and started to dominate. Cooke were hanging on but the pressure was so great that they lost a player to a yellow card and then a number of injuries depleted them further.

The Valley pack was now rampant and taking Cooke scrums at will. From one of these the Cooke scrum disintegrated and the referee had no alternative but to award a penalty try, converted by Armstrong, for Valley to lead for the first time after 60 minutes 14-12.

Valley continued to dominate possession and territory but could not break the stubborn Cooke resistance. The Valley coaches changed their backline with Best reverting to scrum half, Armstrong moving to out half and Stott, returning after a serious injury at Bangor, back in at full back. The change had an immediate impact and Valley were much more direct and effective. Cooke were hanging on but the uncontested scrums were now nullifying a Valley strength.

With five minutes left Stott engineered a try which would have graced the top level of the game. Receiving the ball at outside centre, at the same time as two defenders, his sleight of hand saw the ball transferred to his winger. He then was able to wrap around, receive the return pass and dive over in the corner for an unconverted try and Valley led 19-12.

Valley closed out the game for a hard fought win with Cooke deservedly taking a losing bonus point.

Next week sees Valley entertain Connemara in the All-Ireland Junior cup at the Cran with a 14.30 kick off.