Clogher Valley 1st XV 42 Enniskillen 1st XV 0

Title chasing Clogher Valley ran out emphatic victors over neighbours Enniskillen at The Cran on Wednesday night.

In front of a large crowd, the Valley started at speed, winning rucks and spreading the ball wide to the wingers who probed the Enniskillen defence for gaps.

Enniskillen defended well, repelling the early Valley attacks, but eventually the gaps appeared. Aaron Dunwoody spotted there was no-one behind the ruck and sprinted through, pulling the full back out of position and popped the ball to David Sharkey who ran in the remaining 10 metres unopposed to score under the posts. David Maxwell converted, and the home side led 7-0.

It took another 10 minutes of constant pressure before the Valley added to this score line. Michael Bothwell broke down the left wing and popped the ball to Neill Trotter who was running a supporting line to run in to score. David Maxwell converted the try, to leave the score 14-0 to the home side.

By now, 30 minutes into the game, Valley had full control.

It was a gap from another ruck that resulted in the third try, Paul Armstrong sprinting in the 25 metres to score. David Maxwell added the conversion.

As the first period came to a close, the Valley secured their bonus point with a fourth try Taine Haire this time the scorer. Maxwell converted the try to leave the half time score 28-0.

The flood gates however did not open in the second half. Enniskillen tackled hard and never threw in the towel. The Valley tried to spread the ball wide and ran through moves practised in the training ground, but they never seemed to come off with the final pass not going to hand.

Despite crossing the Enniskillen try line several times in the second half, the defence held the ball up and were awarded a goal line drop out. It took to the 25-minute mark in the second half for the Enniskillen try line to be breeched. A penalty was awarded to the Valley in midfield, Ewan Haire took a quick penalty and kicked through behind the retreating Enniskillen defence, his brother Taine was to win the foot race to score out wide. David Maxwell conversion ricocheted off the woodwork and over to add the extra two points.

Five minutes later, David Stinson wrapped up the try scoring. David Maxwell added the conversion to leave it 42-0 at the finish, in what was a very dominating display from Clogher Valley.

The bonus point win takes Clogher to within five points of leaders Ballyclare, with the Valley having two games in hand.