Clogher Valley 43 Dromore 3

Unbeaten Dromore arrived at the Cran on Saturday afternoon only to return up the M1 with that record well and truly shattered.

The visitors opened up in dominant form pinning the Valley back in the early stages and converting an early penalty as reward for their play.

It gradually developed into a mid-field battle with neither side giving up a foot of territory too easily.

Twenty minutes in Maxwell fired a penalty deep into the Dromore 22’ metre area.

A successful lineout followed by several ground making phases before the mercurial out half sent a superb long pass to Taine Haire on the wing. Haire left all defenders in his wake as he raced in for the opening try of the day. It went unconverted on this occasion but the Valley was off the mark.

It returned to the mid field battle for a period before the Valley scrum started to dictate the pattern of play. Several advancing scrums led to a series of pick and goes before Skipper Armstrong crossed for the first of the four tries he would score on the day. Maxwell added the extras.

Play had just recommenced when Reece Smyton was yellow carded for an alleged high tackle leaving the Valley on the defensive for the final minutes of the half.

Dromore upped the ante but the Valley rear guard withstood the onslaught to hold out for a 12-3 half time advantage.

The second period opened up like the first ended with Dromore throwing everything at the Valley 14.

They seemed destined to score before, up popped Taine Haire with a crucial interception to race 90 metres for his second try of the day.

It went unconverted but Dromore now needed three scores to contend.

Primrose was the provider for the next score. A powerful carry saw him surge into the Dromore 22’metre area before off-loading to Armstrong who went over for his second of the day and the bonus point try which was duly converted by Maxwell.

Minutes later Bothwell and Haire combined to strike from deep, a kick ahead bobbled about for a bit before Matthew Bothwell pounced on it to score the fifth try of the day.

Although not converted, it heralded the end of the most fruitful sin bin period the Valley must have ever had. No points conceded and 17 scored in Blitzkrieg style opening to the second half.

With Reece Smyton back in play and a 16 point advantage the remaining 30 minutes would play out comfortably

Another great strike from deep took play into the red zone.

From an advancing scrum the ball was moved right, Armstrong cut back against the grain to slice through the Dromore defence for his third of the day duly goaled by Maxwell.

It was Reece Smyton who instigated the next score with a great line break before off-loading to Taine Haire who cleverly chipped ahead of the converging Dromore defence.

Armstrong outsprinted all to touchdown for his fourth try of the day and the inevitable man of the match award.

He then duly goaled his own try to wrap up proceedings for the day.

Next Saturday the only other undefeated side Ballyclare visit the Cran. Kick off 2.30pm - all support will be required.

Also, the Valley 2nd XV kept up their unbeaten start to their league campaign with a ten try demolition of Carrick 2nd XV in Carrick.

Those to score were Boles [2], Johnston, Bothwell, Michem, Kozylowski, McKenna, Coalter, Trotter and Sharkey.