Carrickfergus 1st XV 10 Clogher Valley 1st XV 52

Clogher Valley has kept the pressure on second place Instonians with an eight try win over Carrickfergus to stay four points clear at the top of the Championship Division One table.

Instonians, who have a game in hand, also picked up a bonus point win over neighbours Cooke, but have a tough away game against Dromore before the final show down between Valley and Instonians at Shaws Bridge in two weeks.

Clogher travelled to the Tom Simms Memorial Park in Carrickfergus to play seventh place Carrick.

It was the home side who dominated the first quarter and put together some excellent phases of play, but apart from a successful penalty kick in front of the posts, they had very little to show for all the pressure on the Valley.

Carrick had a penalty scrum five metres from the Valley line, the home side started to creep forward and drive the Valley back; as the scrum crossed the line, the signs were not good for the away side, but as the ball was crossing the line at the numbers 8’s feet, Clogher scrum half Matthew Bothwell was in like a flash stealing the ball from his feet to save the day.

Moments later it was the Valley’s turn to be in a scoring position. A Valley scrum 10 metres out from the Carrick line, Callum Smyton broke and drove down the blind side, sucking in the winger, he popped to Stuart Douglas to cross the line and score the Valley’s first try.

On 30 minutes, a Valley lineout was successful, and the ball was spread along the backs, giving Paul Armstrong the time to step through the Carrick defence to score Valley’s second try, which he dully converted to give the visitors a 12 -3 lead.

The travelling supporters didn’t have long to wait for the next Valley magic.

Matthew Bothwell broke out of defence, delivered the ball to Paul Armstrong who made more metres before popping the ball to Ewan Haire to slice through the Carrick defence to score Valley’s third try. Armstrong converted to give Clogher a 19-3 lead at half time.

With their eyes on a bonus point win, the Valley, with the wind on their backs, increased the speed of the game. Ten minutes into the second half, a Valley lineout was successful secured, a maul set up and they drove forward, as Carrick defence was pulled out of place, Bothwell popped the ball to Stuart Brown who came in from the blind side wing at pace.

Carrick didn’t even see him coming as he cut through several defenders to score. Armstrong converted to secure the bonus point.

This rattled Carrick into action and for several minutes they put together good phases of play and gave the Carrick outhalf the opportunity to score for the home side.

David Maxwell replied minutes later with a try for Clogher, converted by Armstrong.

20 metres out from the Carrick line, the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors, as the home side complained about the decision, Matthew Bothwell reacted the quickest, tapped the ball and darted his way through several defenders to score his side’s sixth try. Armstrong converted to take the Valley score to 40 points.

Douglas added his second try and then moments later he added another to score his hat trick.

As the game was coming to an end, with the match won, the Valley started to throw the ball around.

Forwards and backs were playing champagne rugby, from deep in their own half a gap appeared and Stuart Douglas pounced, cutting through the Carrick defence. As he sprinted the 75 metres, the Carrick defenders gave up and didn’t chase him. Armstrong converted to bring the Valley’s tally to 52 points. Clogher now have a week off before the end of season clash with Instonians, where the league title will be decided.