Clogher Valley 1st XV 24 Dromore 1st XV 0 Clogher Valley continued their ascent up the league table with another convincing win over Dromore to make it seven wins in their last eight games.

Clogher dominated all facts of the game and were deserving winners and could well have won by more.

Joint coach Davy Black is delighted with the progress and especially the growing influence of some of the young players in the team.

“We are starting to get close to the team we wanted to get out on the pitch which has helped and the lads have been going well,” said Davy.

“A lot of credit must go the young lads with half back Neil Trotter and Fleming Agnew and full back Phillip Wilson impressing and showing great potential. It is great to have these young players coming through and they helped control the game and get the win on Saturday.

“We were dominant and it is good to get out of the bottom of the table quagmire but equally we know it is only small steps we have taken and we must keep producing, winning and we are away to Ards on Saturday which will be a tough one.”

It was scrum half Trotter who almost opened the scoring when a long range penalty rebounded of the posts on five minutes.

Three minutes later a driving maul was held up over the line as Clogher sought the early breakthrough. Several sorties later the Valley were awarded a five metre scrum. Ryan Wilson picked and went, Breen at centre cut a great line and Wilson’s offload sent the seasoned campaigner through a gap and under the posts. Trotter converted and the Valley had a deserved lead.

Clogher didn’t get proper control from the restart and the visitors were awarded a scrum in front of posts. Eager to rectify at the resulting scrum the pack forced Dromore into reverse gear and then to totally disintegrate regaining control of possession in the process. Trotter and Agnew made several relieving kicks to return their side to the offensive once again. Steenson, the Dromore out half, hit a huge clearance kick directly at Philip Wilson who returned it with some interest in a blistering 40 metre up field break.

On eighteen minutes the Dromore captain Fitzpatrick was yellow carded for some over robust play giving the Valley an extra edge.

Dromore defended valiantly for a period and it took a piece of good fortune to lead to Clogher’s second try. A clinically executed lineout and maul resulted in Sharkey touching down for a try which in truth was no more than the Valley play deserved. It went unconverted but eyes were now firmly set on the bonus point win.

The remainder of the half saw the Valley in complete control. Trotter arrowed a penalty deep into Dromore territory to set up the next phase of pressure. A scrum against the head saw Wilson hit the go forward button and after several more phases Skipper Cobane crashed over for the third try which was goaled by Trotter to complete the first half scoring and make it 19-0.

Clogher hoped to press on in the second period but it became a half of frustration and intrigue.

Dromore lost two props to injury and the uncontested scrum rule raised its ugly head. Should Dromore then have to play with fourteen or not, the official decreed that on this occasion it was not. The debate raged up and down the touchline and up and down the park and as a result the Valley lost a bit of focus. With no go forward ball from the scrum Clogher lost their best weapon and the game took on a different perspective. Dromore with more possession were a lively enough proposition but they couldn’t make any significant inroads to alter the scoreboard. Philip Wilson had the home support buzzing on several occasions with his mesmerising running a feature of the half.

A great inter exchange of play between Wilson, Agnew, Trotter and Trenier set up a promising field position. The Valley’s lineout was perfection all afternoon and so it was to be again.

Moore led the charge and as the defence melted before him he had a clear run to the line to grab Clogher’s fourth try and the men from the ‘Cran’s’ first bonus point win of the season.

It went unconverted but the final whistle followed minutes later much to the delight of all associated with Clogher Valley.