Clogher Valley 1st XV 52 Portadown 1st XV 10

A much changed Clogher Valley warmed up for their crucial All-Ireland Junior Cup final with a convincing win over Portadown at the Cran on Saturday.

Coach Stephen Bothwell chose to rest Michael Treanor, Aaron Dunwoody and Reece Smyton and with Robbie Mills, Darrell Liggett and Phillip Hopper still on the injury list it was a different Valley that Portadown would face than the one they faced earlier in the season.

In a tactical switch Callum Smyton started in the centre with 18-year-old Jamie Allen starting at No 8. Allen had a storming first period proving that he is one to watch out for in the future.

Three minutes in Ewan Haire cut a great line to put Regan Wilkinson into space with the winger grabbing the first of his hat-trick of tries on the day.

Minutes later a lineout turnover set in motion a decisive move that ended in David Maxwell crossing for the second try which Paul Armstrong duly goaled.

The Valley probably should have pushed on a bit more but at times it became a bit rushed with a few unenforced handling errors stalling progress.

Portadown had their fair share of possession early doors and scored a try of a good lineout and strong maul which was then goaled.

On the half hour mark came the try of the day. From deep in the Valley half, Armstrong cross kicked, Stuart Brown chased and caught the ball, made good yards before switching back to his skipper. Armstrong lined up the remaining defender before putting Callum Smyton in for the third try of the day, converted by Armstrong.

Almost immediately Portadown converted a penalty and minutes later saw another one sail wide.

In the final few minutes of the half, Clogher were encamped in the visitors 22 metre area. Several five metre scrums were reset as Portadown struggled to contain the Valley scrum.

At the third time of asking the visiting official awarded a penalty try to leave the score at the break 26-10

Although scoring the same figure as in the first half, the Valley seemed more in control this period.

Stuart Brown made good yards again before David Sharkey crashed over for the fifth try. The conversion attempt, on this occasion, came back of the upright.

15 minutes later, Portadown were forced into an error and dropped the ball, David Maxwell kicked forward with the ball coming back off the post which was gathered by Regan Wilkinson for his second try of the day.

Callum Smyton, restored to his No.8 role, made great inroads off the back of a lineout before second row forward Joel Busby crashed over for the sixth Clogher try of the day.

Armstrong obliged with the conversion. Man of the match Wilkinson completed his hat-trick scorching down the wing after multiple hands had created the opportunity. Armstrong added the extras to complete the scoring for the day.

Next stop Kingspan.