Clogher Valley 1st XV 49

Grosvenor 1st XV 5

Clogher Valley closed to within six points of leaders Instonians with a game in hand following Saturday’s comprehensive 49-5 victory over Grosvenor at the Cran.

There was no problem with getting the players back down to ground after last week’s All Ireland Junior Cup title win with the focus clearly back on the league as Clogher took charge on the scoreboard early on and although Grosvenor had plenty of pressure, Valley were never in any danger.

The pitch was heavy, with a cold wind blowing up the pitch as the Valley played up towards the clubhouse in the first half.

There was only nine minutes on the clock when David Stinson broke down the right wing and popped the ball to Matthew Bothwell, who cut back inside and ran under the posts to open the scoring.

David Maxwell, taking on the kicking duties from Skipper Paul Armstrong, slotted the extra points to put the Valley ahead by seven points.

It took another 15 minutes before the Valley could add to the score.

Callum Smyton broke from the halfway line and popped to Paul Armstrong, who ran in to add the second try. Maxwell added the additional points.

Armstrong scored his second, and Valley’s third try, five minutes later when he spotted a gap in the Grosvenor defence and sprinted in to score. Maxwell again added the extra two points to make it 21-0.

Pressure

Grosvenor didn’t buckle under the pressure and as the half came to a close, the visitors kept the pressure on the Valley defence and eventually, they found a gap out wide, where they squeezed over in the corner. The interval saw Clogher lead 21-5.

The try for Grosvenor at the end of the first half gave them confidence and resolve.

For 15 minutes they dominated play, but the Valley defence was solid.

A Grosvenor attack pushed in the Valley 22-metre area, but was turned over, Valley’s Kyle Cobane broke out of defence, recycled the ball to Callum Smyton, Paul Armstrong took the ball on and then offloaded to Aaron Crawford to drive over the line to score Valley’s fourth and bonus point try. The reliable David Maxwell added the conversion as the Valley led 28-5.

As the game came towards the end, the Valley put the icing on the cake. David Maxwell broke through the Grosvenor defence and raced into the score, which he then converted. The Valley led 35-5.

Minutes later, a five-metre scrum for the Valley gave a great attacking position; however, the pack decided they were going to take the ball on and drove Grosvenor over the line, giving Callum Smyton the easy task of tapping the ball down. Maxwell added the two points.

Immediately after the restart Ewan Haire kicked through, Regan Wilkinson added his boot and David Stinson was on hand to get the ball over the line; with the conversion added by David Maxwell, it left the score 49-5 to the Valley.

The match that follows a Cup Final is always difficult for the Champions. The expectation is higher, and players are often carrying niggly injuries. This was one of those games.

Whilst the score indicates an easy victory for the Valley, Grosvenor controlled the game for long periods, but much of this play was not in the scoring part of the pitch.

This Valley side are masters of soaking up pressure, then spotting a gap and launching an attack.

Many of the Valley scores came from deep in their own half and this is the sign of a good team.

Coach Stephen Bothwell was overall pleased with the performance and the seven converted tries. He admits whilst mistakes were made, this is still a developing side, and they keep on winning.

Player of The Match was awarded to David Maxwell for his personal tally of 19 points.

Next week is the Cup game against Lurgan.