Clogher Valley Rugby Club edged out by Malone in six-point thriller

Malone .............. 35

Clogher Valley ..... 28

MALONE edged this top of the table encounter with Clogher Valley in this 63-point thriller at Gibson Park on what was a glorious Saturday afternoon. A game that could have gone either way ended up with Malone winning by a mere six points.

Both sides opened up moving the ball around with pace and accuracy. Eight minutes in and Malone were first to strike after a sustained period of pressure their No. 8 crossed for the opening try duly converted.

The Valley dominated field position throughout with Malone being very clinical on their visits to the Valley red zone. The home side would dominate the lineout causing many problems for the visitors but in contrast the Valley scrum was a source of good possession.

At the 15th-minute mark man of the match, Ryan Stewart, crossed for the Valley first try after a storming run by David Stinson. David Maxwell added the extras. A couple of good penalties by Maxwell should have led to better outcomes but a lack of control at the lineout resulted in Malone clearing their lines.

In contrast a good Malone penalty lineout and subsequent maul resulted in their second try which went unconverted. The Valley then a good period but just couldn’t get over the line and gradually Malone worked their way into the visitor’s half. They moved the ball across the backline and their winger squeezed in at the corner flag for an unconverted try.

As the clock ticked towards the break the Valley struck again after turn-over possession the ball was spun wide and Philip Wilson dived in at the corner for a great try with Maxwell goaling from the touch line.

The Malone bonus point try arrived on the stroke of half-time. A penalty try for a high tackle seemed a harsh sanction but nevertheless it left the half-time score at 24-14 in the host’s favour.

A feature of the second period was the dominance of the Valley scrum, Malone struggled to contain it as the half progressed. Fifteen minutes in the Valley opted to take a scrum at a penalty award. As the scrum surged forward it was halted illegally leaving the official no option but to award his second penalty try of the day.

Now only three points behind, the visitors sought about addressing the arrears. Malone defensively were solid and cheered on by their big home support held on for long periods.

They managed to get into the Valley red zone on a few occasions, and their sharp backline created two chances for a further two unconverted tries.

The final period it was all the Valley. Skipper Callum Smyton came off the back of an advancing scrum stepped inside the cover defence to score a great try. Maxwell, who had a super day with the boot, added the extras.

The final few minutes saw the visitors throw everything they had left at Malone but to no avail as they held out to take top spot in AIL 2B North.

2nd XV victorious

There was better news for the Valley in the adjoining pitch where the 2nd XV beat their Malone counterparts in the league. Brent Scott was the man of the match in that encounter.

At home the 3rd XV beat Banbridge in the league with Chris Robinson getting the honours.

The ladies lost 34-05 at Queens while during the week the U14s and U16s won in Strabane and on Saturday the U18s won in Omagh.

A combined CV/Armagh U16 girls won 40-0 against a combined Omagh/ City of Derry side at the Cran.

Next week the 1st XV and 2nd XV are at home to neighbour’s Enniskillen. Arrangements are still being made so check the club’s social media sites for times etc.

There will be a shuttle bus running from the town as parking is very limited. Again, the social media sites will have all the information.