CI suffered their first reverse of the season in this Junior cup tie against an improving Valley side at the Cran on Saturday.
Clogher welcomed tight head Moore and full back Lyons back to the starting line up while Bennett returned to the bench. Baxter alas was a late cry off but the impressive McKenna stepped up to the mark again and threw down his gauntlet to the watching selectors. Bates was again the maestro and the instigator of the early breakthrough. A sniping run from the base of a ruck was carried on by Sharkey, quick ruck ball was then released right to second row forward Trimble who cleverly switched with Holme sending the centre in under the posts for the early try which Best duly goaled. The Valley proceeded to dominate the opening exchanges and went further ahead on 17 minutes. Lyons made a great midfield break sending Holme away, he was hauled down inches short but from the ensuing scrum the Clogher pack powered over for Sharkey to get the touchdown. This time there was no additional two points. CI responded and were in the ascendancy for the next 15 minutes. Cloghers defence was thoroughly examined as the visitors impressive backline threatened to cut loose. In one sustained sortie a try looked a nailed on certainty but for Cloghers hooker Orr who made a superb cover tackle. The visitors continued to press and got just rewards when O’Hara popped over a penalty to reduce the arrears to 9 points. The Valleys response was immediate. Sharkey chased and tapped back the restart; McKenna drove forward to set up the ruck. Bates released the backline, Lyons created the opportunity and big Mattie Robinson crashed over for a thoroughly deserved try. No conversion but a bit of clear water had been established.
Ci are an impressive side and they responded to the setback in positive fashion. For the remainder of the half they encamped in the Valley 22’ with the proverbial ‘kitchen sink’ being hurled at the Valley rear guard. Andy Breen was a colossus in defence as Clogher dug in and held out to the more than welcome half time break.
What CI failed to do in the second quarter they did in spectacular fashion in the opening minutes of the third. Centre McVitty crossed at the corner flag rounding off a of a sweeping backline movement that even the most fervent of home supporters had to admire. O’Hara landed the difficult conversion and with now only a 7pt deficit it was a case of ‘game on’.
Clogher needed to get hands on the ball and retain it to stifle the visitors growing confidence. This they done in impressive style. Bates worked the touchline and kept the game tighter for a period. The pack responded with the front five prepared to make the hard yards. The returning Moore was very prominent as Clogher wrestled back control of the possession. A lineout take and drive from their own half set up the next try. It seemed as if the maul was going all the way but the visitors managed to haul it down 20 metres short. The ball was moved right, Holme put in a clever grubber kick behind the CI defence and Stafford on the wing outpaced all to grab the touchdown. Again it went unconverted but the Valley had a bit more breathing space.
The result was put out of doubt on the 20 minute mark. Trimble, who hails from a great line of pedigree second row forwards, made good ground. Bates this time released the backline, Sharkey acting as a third centre flicked a one handed pass to Lyons and the fullback raced away for a great try to cap a fine individual performance. Best added the conversion.
Clogher continued to work the touchline probing down the tramlines for the next opening. Bates put in a deft box kick, Sharkey chased the ball down but as he about to gather he was taken out and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try which Best duly goaled.
However CI were not yet finished, Wilson their No 9 grabbed a late try which was goaled by O’Hara reducing the arrears to 19 points at the final whistle.
This was a fine showing by the Valley and hopefully their early season problems are behind them. All thoughts of the junior cup must now be put on hold. The priority must now be the league starting with this week’s trip to Dromore where a win is essential.
Lisburn 2nds 43 vs 15 Clogher Valley 2nds
Weakened 2nds put up good performance
Following their good win over Banbridge 3s the previous week, Lisburn 2s continued their excellent form last Saturday when overcoming the visitors from Clogher Valley. Lisburn got off to a great start when a slicing run by winger Adam Melville, following some great handling by the pack, produced a fine try. However, straight from the re-start the Valley were back on terms at 5-5 after a quick surge upfield caught the home defence lacking. After this hectic first five minutes, the game then settled down as the two packs sized each other up but it was Lisburn who seemed to be getting the more go forward ball and at the end of the first quarter, second row Alan Hughes drove right through the heart of a Clogher ruck to score from five metres out. Within minutes his partner in the second row, Andrew Barron, making a welcome and impressive comeback after long term injury, increased the Lisburn score with a well taken try and No 8, Andrew Coffey kicked the conversion to make it 17-5. Winger Adam Melville was having a great game following his recovery from injury and he was next on the score sheet following a mazy run from his own half. Another Coffey conversion brought up the half time score with Lisburn well in command at 24 points to 5.
The second half saw a resurgent Clogher Valley putting in a strong effort and they were rewarded when their prop drove over through some weak Lisburn tackling to make it 24-10. After ten minutes, most of which was played inside the Lisburn 22 metre line, Lisburn broke out and outhalf Owen Hilary gained possession on the half way line. He ran diagonally across the pitch to round the visitor’s defence and then straightened up to carve through the Clogher mid field and score. Once again Coffey converted to restore the margin. This was followed by a scything break by centre Richard Kindred, also making his seasonal debut, and he used his speed to score at the posts. The Coffey conversion widened the gap to 38-10.
Clogher Valley, though effectively out of the game at this stage, never gave up and their hooker got on the end of a tap penalty to drive over unhindered by any Lisburn tackling to make it 38-15. Lisburn finished the game off shortly afterwards with another Melville spectacular when he waltzed down the pitch for another try, leaving would-be tacklers in his wake. Coffey failed to maintain his fine kicking form in missing the conversion but Lisburn were now 43-15 ahead and in total command.
This was an excellent performance by the 2s and with many seasoned performers now coming back to complement the larger than normal number of new recruits in the Lisburn ranks the future looks bright. Selection will be interesting over the next few weeks as the coaches perm through their options. However, presence on the training park has to be a necessity for putting oneself in contention for promotion up the ranks.
U17’s demolish Enniskillen in a 7 try display
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Valley’s U17’s on form as they beat Enniskillen with 7 unanswered tries, winning 43 -0. Pictures from the game on the website
