Clogher Valley 24 – 12 Cooke RFC

For the first time in 10 years Clogher Valley 2nd XV registered a comprehensive victory on the opening day of the season.

Fielding a team containing a blend of youth and experience Clogher Valley were first out of the blocks taking the lead with a penalty. However Cooke soon found their form with a flowing backs move which saw them score wide out. From the re-start Clogher Valley went on the attack producing a penalty. The kick from Holmes rebounded off the post and dropped for Wilson who just failed to squeeze in at the corner. Stealing the resultant line-out Clogher Valley were able to go through a number of phases before Ivan Dunn powered over for a try near the posts. This was duly converted for a deserved 10-5 half time lead.

Cooke were soon on the offensive from the restart and only some desperate Valley scrambling defence kept them out. However Cooke’s dangerous out-half was well marshalled by the Valley backrow and was eventually forced to attempt a drop goal which went wide. The long 25 drop-out by Holmes relieved the pressure and Valley established a good field position in the Cooke half. This yielded another penalty, which was expertly converted by Holmes to stretch the lead to 13-5. This boosted the Valley team, with the forwards beginning to dominate in the scrums and ‘man-of-the-match’, Craig Glen harrying his opposite number into mistakes, leading to another penalty 45 metres out. Holmes well struck kick sailed between the posts to keep the scoreboard ticking over at 16-5. Cooke fought back yet again and laid siege to the Valley line for a 10 minute spell of pressure which saw the Valley defence tested to the limit. Ferocious tackling from the green line repelled a series of short penalties, before Holmes got the opportunity to finally clear his lines.

The Valley pack immediately regained control deep in Cooke territory providing the backs with a platform to demonstrate their cutting age. This pressure resulted in yet another penalty opportunity slotted by Holmes. The last 10 minutes saw a series of Cooke injuries coupled with yellow cards for Dunn and McKeown to even the numbers at 13 each. The Cooke out-half got in for a dubious, converted try after which Valley immediately responded with an opportunist try taken by winger McGreary to leave the final score 24-12.

This was a confidence boosting result for the 2nd XV and one which should encourage higher levels of commitment to training so as to ensure continued success throughout the season.