Grosvenor 1st XV 17 Clogher Valley 1st XV 55

Clogher Valley racked up an impressive 55 points on Saturday in a dominant away win at Grosvenor to remain top of the Ulster Championship Division One table.

Instonians, who are sitting second, are four points behind with one match in hand. The Valley have one more match before the final league game against Instonians which could easily be a winner takes all league decider.

Belfast side Grosvenor, in truth, were no match for the Valley who dominated the game and never looked back after an early try, leading by 19-7 and driving home their superiority in the second half to win by 55-17 at the final whistle as Ewan Haire helped himself to the man of the match accolade with four excellent tries.

The Valley were quickly into their stride with an opening try after six minutes, when a Callum Smyton pass reached Paul Armstrong who set David Sharkey clear to score in the corner. Armstrong converted to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

15 minutes later Matthew Bothwell stole the ball at the back of a Grosvenor scrum, the Valley recycled and then spread wide with Armstrong racing over for his first try of the day, which he duly converted to double the visitors score.

On 30 minutes, Grosvenor scored their opening try from a five metre scum on the Valley line, with the number eight driving over to score. The conversion was successful, and Valley’s lead was halved.

Minutes later, though, the Valley struck back. Attacking close to the Grosvenor line, they recycled the ball a number of times, drawing in the defenders, then passed wide for Ewan Haire to cross the line in the corner for his first try. The interval had the visitors leading 19-7.

The Valley were first to score in the second half. From a lineout, the visitors spread the ball wide and Ewan Haire dived in to score his second and Valley’s fourth try, securing the bonus point.

As the clock ticked past the 50 minute mark, a Valley lineout was secured and a maul set up, this drove close to the Grosvenor try line before it was stopped, a quick recycle and Ewan Haire notched up his hat trick of tries out on the left wing. The Valley now led 29-7.

Grosvenor kept fighting and scored their second try on 60 minutes, but then the Valley increased the speed of the game and this finished off the match as a contest.

A Valley break, up the centre of the pitch was stopped 20 metres out. David Maxwell at out-half spotted space out wide and with a delicate 50 metre kick pass, dropped the ball into Regan Wilkinson’s lap to score for the Valley.

Minutes later an Armstrong break reached 10 metres from the Grosvenor try line before he was tap tackled, as he hit the ground David Maxwell appeared on his shoulder taking the pop-up pass, to then run in to score. He converted his own try to give the Valley a 41-12 lead.

Grosvenor did not give up the fight and replied with a third try, but another Armstrong intercept at the half way line, which he touched down between the posts took the wind out of their sails. Armstrong converted to take Valley’s score to 48-17.

The Valley wanted more and from the restart, they spread wide, providing Ewan Haire with enough space to weave his way through the Grosvenor defence to score his fourth try. Armstrong converted to bring his match tally to 18 points.

The Valley secured all five points with an overwhelming 55-17 win, which keeps them top by four points.

Ewan Haire was given Player of the Match for his four try salvo. Next week the Valley travel to Carrick who are sitting sixth in the table.