Clogher Valley 30 Cooke 9

Clogher Valley moved ever closer to securing the the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Division One title with a 30-9 win over third place Cooke at the Cran on Saturday.

The win moved Clogher to within five points of leaders Ballyclare who have finished their season.

It means that if Clogher can gain five points from their remaining two games against Carrickfergus on Wednesday night and on Saturday against Grosvenor then they will be champions.

It was obvious from the outset that Cooke were not there to give the Valley a training match and both teams spent the first 10 minutes like two prize fighters jabbing each other, probing for weaknesses.

It was the visitors who were first on the scoreboard with a penalty, which was then doubled a few minutes later with another well struck kick from the outhalf.

This spurred the Valley into action, from a lineout 10 metres out, the Valley pack set up the maul and drove towards the Cooke line.

As the maul splintered, Aaron Crawford drove over to score the first try, a great birthday present to the young exciting prop who celebrated his 21st birthday.

The reliable David Maxwell added the conversion, and the Valley were in the lead 7-6.

Just before the interval, a Valley penalty was goaled by Paul Armstrong to give the home side a 10-6 lead, however Cooke were to add a further penalty to their tally on the stroke of half time and the game was balancing on one point, 10-9 to the hosts.

Clogher came out of the blocks at speed in the second half and within two minutes were further ahead.

Great interplay between Ewan Haire and Michael Bothwell set the conditions for Taine Haire to score in the corner.

Cooke battled on and forced the home side into mistakes. Paul Armstrong increased the lead to 18-9 on the 18-minute mark of the second half but it was the next score, a try from Matthew Bothwell which was to finish this game off as a contest.

Armstrong broke in his own half, off loaded to Taine Haire then to Matthew Bothwell to score close to the posts.

Armstrong added the extra two points, and the Valley were comfortable at 25-9.

Next in the Valley sights was the bonus point from the fourth try.

Wave after wave they pushed, but resolute Cooke defence held them at bay.

It was in the 79th minute when they achieved their fourth try.

Callum Smyton made good yardage, then popped to Ewan Haire who then set his younger brother Taine off again with space to score in the corner.

The final score 30-9 to the home side, securing the victory and the bonus point, to bring the Valley fivr points closer to league leaders Ballyclare.

The Valley needs five points out of a possible 10 in their last two matches to clinch the league title.

‘Player of the match’ was awarded to Aaron Dunwoody, who tackled his heart out and made himself a general nuisance at the breakdown, as a good openside flanker should do.

Elsewhere in the club, the 2nd XV overcome Ballyclare ‘ 15-7, the 3rds won in Virginia 27-7 and the U16 girls had a great win over Donaghadee 45-5 on Friday night.