Dromore 1st XV 10 Clogher Valley 1st XV 24

Clogher Valley secured a bonus point win over Dromore to keep the pressure on leaders Instonians in what looks to be a two-horse race at the top of the Championship Division One table.

At present, Instonians have an 11-point advantage, but Clogher have played two games less so it is very much all to play for over the remainder of the campaign.

Dromore – who sit eighth in the table – have in the past played a similar style of rugby and always give the Valley a tough encounter. This match was no different.

The Valley – who can often take some period of the match to get fully operational – were out of the blocks quickly and put Dromore under significant pressure. However, it was the home side who had the opportunity to take the lead, but the penalty sailed wide of the upright.

With 14 minutes played though, Clogher opened the scoring. The Valley counter-attacked down the left wing with good interplay between Reece Smyton, Stuart Brown and David Stinson, who made 15 metres before fixing the full back and sending Skipper Paul Armstrong through unopposed.

Armstrong added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead. Minutes later, Dromore replied with a penalty to close the gap to 7-3. Whilst Dromore had much of the play, the Valley defence was resolute and held firm.

At any opportunity the Valley counter-attacked and spread the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, stretching the home side’s defence.

With a dominant scrum and their ability to spread the ball from one side of the pitch to the other at speed, the Valley had the upper hand.

Again, a Valley counter-attack, numerous passes from forwards to backs, and Joel Busby saw a gap to burst through to cross the try line. As the interval came, Clogher led 12 -3.

As with last week, there was an expectation from the crowd for the Valley to take out in the second half and rack up numerous points.

Again, as with Cooke, Dromore had no intention of rolling over. Every ruck was fought for and the heavy pitch did not suit the lighter, more agile Valley backs.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, the Valley were awarded a scrum five metres out from the Dromore try line.

Callum Smyton picked the ball up from the base of the scrum and drove towards the line but was stopped short, several rucks later and Stuart Brown on the wing was given the space to use his speed to cross the line for Valley try number three.

Paul Armstrong added the conversion to put space between the teams; the Valley led 19 -3.

Chasing the magic fourth try for an additional bonus point, the Valley pressed hard with seven minutes left.

Another scrum 15 metres out had the hallmarks for a repeat of a few minutes previous. Smyton drove, but was stopped, the rest of the pack took over and picked and drove on, as inch by inch, they got closer to the Dromore line. David Sharkey was first to spot a tiny gap and squeezed in for the important fourth try.

With the five points secured, the Valley could have been accused of switching off for the dying moments and allowed Dromore in for their first try, but it had no impact on the result.

The Valley took the match 24-10, importantly securing a full five points to keep the pressure on Instonians.

Eugene McKenna was awarded Player of the Match for his hard work around the pitch, which can often go unnoticed. Next week is a home match against Portadown.