Monaghan U16 10 Clogher Valley U16 5

Valley U16 Girls made their exit in the U16 Cup following a thrilling match at Rafeenan in Monaghan in which they were edged out by 10-5.

Clogher Valley Girls travelled to Monaghan on Friday night in the 2nd round of the U16 Girls Cup.

This new team, full of confidence after their over whelming victory against Virginia in the initial Cup round have been working hard at their individual skills and team plays.

The hosts got off to a fantastic start and dominated the first 15 minutes of the match, but the ferocious tackling of the Valley held them out.

However, the dominance of the Monaghan team paid off as they crossed the line to open the scoring after 20 minutes. This seemed to spur the Valley on and they started to play their style of rugby, with multiple passes and free flowing rugby.

The Valley only needed the smallest of gaps and they were away, punching through the Monaghan defence.

In their second visit to the Monaghan 22, after a 40 metre break from Kaitlyn Nicholl, a series of passes amongst the Valley forwards and backs gave Ellie Farrell the opportunity to sprint in, to score to the left of the posts. Both teams were level at the interval, 5-5.

The Valley came awake in the second half and showed the spectators their skills and aggressive running. Monaghan, however, were equal to the test and tackled well, stopping the Valley backs before they were able to build up their speed.

The Valley moves in the back line worked as planned and Victoria Bothwell found herself in space close to the wing, but the Monaghan defensive line were able to stop the attacks.

The Valley back row of Hollie Boyd, Victoria Campbell and Kaitlin Nicholl were immense, tackling their hearts out and driving forward at every opportunity.

Deep into the fourth quarter, Monaghan broke from their own half and made their way into the Valley 22.

After several pick and gos from the Monaghan forwards and short passes to the big runners, they crossed the line to double their score 10 – 5.

The Valley fought back and spun the ball around the pitch, forwards and backs alike drove hard at the Monaghan defence and spent the last few minutes in the Monaghan 22, getting to within two metres of the try line.

However, a good steal from the home side gave them the ball and relieved the pressure.

A penalty awarded to the Monaghan for a Valley player not rolling away in the tackle gave the home side the opportunity to hoof the ball into the adjoining field to end the game.

Monaghan are through to the next round of the Cup and the Valley progress in the Shield competition.