Clogher Valley secure historic derby win over Enniskillen

Energia All-Ireland League 2B North

Clogher Valley....26

Enniskillen....7

IT was a super weekend at the Cran with six matches played and six wins recorded.

For the main event conditions were perfect for the eagerly awaited clash between neighbours Enniskillen and Clogher Valley for the first time meeting in the All-Ireland League.

Upwards of one thousand supporters from both clubs crowded in at the Cran which is a credit to both clubs and to rugby in the west.

Both sides were missing key players but nevertheless the standard throughout was impressive.

The Valley were first to strike after only five minutes of play. David Maxwell struck a penalty deep into the Skins red zone.

Another penalty following the lineout saw the Valley opt for a scrum. Callum Smyton picked up and surged forward before linking with Ewan Haire who stepped inside the covering defence to open the scoring. David Maxwell added the conversion.

Skins tried to hit back immediately in a strong passage of play, but the Valley defence were up to the task with a well organised defensive rearguard.

Gradually the Valley took control in an almost faultless first half display. The set scrum was dominant, and the lineout was supplying first rate possession.

The back division being marshalled by Paul Armstrong were accurate and adventurous with ball in hand.

Skins were very hard to breakdown and showed great character and determination in defence. Eventually it had to happen.

On the half hour mark after some great interplay the ball was swept wide to Phillip Wilson who out paced the Skins defence to score at the corner flag, Maxwell added the touchline conversion.

Minutes later the visitors had a great chance to reduce the arrears, but the final pass was forward when a try seemed certain.

Minutes before the break a clash of heads resulted in Maxwell being yellow carded with both players being deemed to be concussed and finished for the duration.

Minutes into the second period when the yellow card period was concluded Ewan was moved to full back and his brother Taine left the bench to play on the wing.

A good mid-field break by Skins led to their only score. It was stopped illegally and the penalty was dispatched into the Valley 22’ metre area.

A good lineout and maul routine resulted in a converted try to bring the deficit down to a mere seven points.

The remainder of the game saw the Valley in a dominant position; the set scrum was the telling factor and Matthew Bothwell back after a lengthy injury having an inspired return at scrum half.

Indeed, it was Bothwell who would grab the third try after a series of pick and goes he squeezed under the cover defence to add the third Valley try which went unconverted.

On the half hour mark came the fourth and bonus point try., A poor clearance kick by Skins was gathered up to set up a counterattack.

It was halted briefly before Armstrong picked up and broke down the touchline before linking with player of the match Josh Kyle who raced in for the fourth try duly converted by Armstrong.

The five points earned see the Valley return to the top of the league and Skins return to Mullaghmeen hungry and determined to get back into the top two again.

Elsewhere the 2nd XV beat their Enniskillen counterparts 12-6.

The Man of the Match was Thomas Nicholson, while the three youth teams all prevailed over visitors City of Derry and to cap off a great weekend the ladies beat Ballymena in the league by 10-7 with Cloideach Donaghy being awarded Player of the Match.