Clogher Valley warmed up for their All-Ireland semi-final encounter against Bangor with a convincing bonus point win against top four side Ballyclare at the Cran on Saturday.

That they kept Ballyclare scoreless also pleased joint coach Davy Black as they remain second in Qualifying One with leaders Instonians their next league opponents on Saturday week.

Coach Black was pleased: “It was a good performance and to get a bonus point was a good bonus while the defence showed well and it is always pleasing to keep a clean sheet. It creates a bit of a gap between us and them in the league and that was also a good plus.” On a cold, grey, wet day at the Cran the floodlights were in use from the start. Valley showed in the first minute how difficult it would be for Ballyclare as the pressure they exerted at the first scrum shoved Ballyclare of their own ball and Valley won the penalty. When they also won the first Ballyclare lineout the writing was on the wall.

Ballyclare had the most of possession but they could not find a way through the well organised Valley defence and the first 15 minutes were spent in a midfield battle. Valley were comfortable, as usual, without the ball and content to accept the waves of Ballyclare attacks safe in their defensive systems.

In truth Valley offered little in attack in the first quarter but then a moment of magic by Stott and a quick upping of the tempo saw Valley take the lead.

From a scrum on the Valley ten metre line the ball shot out and Best was forced to scramble back and give the ball to winger Stott. Two Ballyclare players were on top of him but it made little difference.

He jinxed his way past them and then cut through the centre of the remaining defenders. The run was so well timed and executed that unfortunately his Valley team mates were unable to keep up and a fine tackle by the Ballyclare full back stopped the break deep in his 22, but there was a Valley penalty which was kicked to touch.

Valley’s catch and drive was textbook and as they moved the point of attack right, left and then back right Stott appeared in the outside centre position and brushed off two tackles to score Valley’s first try in the corner. Holme added the difficult conversation and Valley led 7-0. Ballyclare had one chance before half time when they worked a gap but a good tackle by Valley full back Armstrong forced the knock on and stopped the attack.

There was no way back for Ballyclare in the second half. Valley started to turn the screw. Within two minutes of the restart a Valley line out on the Ballyclare 22 saw another catch and drive to which Ballyclare had no answer and saw prop Primrose score for a Valley 12-0 lead.

The restart saw Ryan Wilson drive through the centre and eventually Ballyclare were forced to infringe and Holme kicked the points for a 15-0 lead.

Valley continued to attack and Ballyclare were struggling to contain the Valley forward power and lost a player to a yellow card on 55 minutes. Valley took the scrum and drove Ballyclare back over their own line for a try by Ryan Wilson. Holme converted and Valley led 22-0.

Ballyclare had not been out of their own 22 and were struggling to get any possession. Eventually they managed to put a movement together on 65 minutes but Valley were aggressive in defence and winger Breen turned over a ball on the half way line with a fine tackle.

On his shoulder was Stott, again on the wrong wing, and he took the pass and accelerated away from the Ballyclare chasers for Valley’s fourth and bonus point try and a 27-0 lead.

Valley played out the remainder of the game and reverted to allowing Ballyclare to come to them. Ballyclare had one further break but this was quickly closed by the tackle of Valley man of the match hooker Cobane.

Ballyclare played well but the experience, defensive cohesion and ability to increase the tempo at any time by Valley were the difference. Ballyclare will improve but Valley played well within their abilities.

An ominous sign for their next two opponents with the All-Ireland Junior Cup semi-final against Bangor and then the trip to league leaders Instonians.