1st XV cancelled when Belfast Harlequins could not field a front row.
2nd XV had their first win of the season, after several games they should have won, when they beat Coleraine 2nds 40-0 with a relatively good performance. The pack were always on top and with Keyes drives and McWilliams support/general all-around play they were always on top. Mulligan also controlled the line out and with Baxter’s kicking from outhalf coupled with aggressive Valley defence Coleraine could not get into the game. The one area that will have concerned Valley Coaches is their inability to win ball at the breakdown and at times they were turned over too easily. Valley scored six tries with Keyes grabbing two and McWilliams, McSorley, Montgomery and Orr getting one each. Baxter converted five, some from difficult positions
3rd XV continued their unbeaten start to the season with a good win away to Finn Harps 34-7. New Captain Timmy Moore is leading by example and his recruitment efforts have been excellent with five new players added to the squad. All have had some experience of grammar schools rugby so this adds to the playing strength of the side, which is then reflected in their results.
U18’s won a close game against a strong Ards team 28-17 The result was always in doubt until the last minute when captain Allen went through for his second try to add to two conversions. Valley started with 13 and Ards 14 and Valley were struggling with the large Ards pack from the start. They were bossed in all aspects of play, especially scrums. However they made up for this with an aggressive defence which continually stopped Ards at the gain line. The Ards backs also struggled to break the Valley defence but when Valley backs got their chance their running lines and speed caused all sorts of trouble. Valley scored first, against the run of play, and it was 25 minutes until Ards levelled. However what was developing into a good game with two very different approaches became disjointed and stop/start after several injury stoppages, which mainly affected Valley. For the last ten minutes Valley were hanging on against waves of Ards attacks but not only defended their line but managed to move up field and score in the last minute. Other scorers were S Allen one try and conversions from Wilkinson and Garrity.
U14’s won easily 83-7 against a weak Ards side, who had only 11 players, (Valley lending 4 from their squad in each half.) Ards had no answer to the running power of the Valley backs and tries were scored at regular intervals. S Busby scored 5, N Donnelly 2, P Busby 2 and 1 each from F McElroy, J Sommerville and N Bothwell. F McElroy added 10 conversions. Valley were very appreciative of the fact that Ards travelled with so few players and the loudest cheer of the day was when Ards scored their try.
