CLOGHER VALLEY ............................................. 42

COLERAINE ..................................................... 13

Clogher Valley bounced back in the best way possible after last week's defeat by Armagh with a comprehensive demolition of second place Coleraine. After all the morning rain, conditions improved to allow Valley the opportunity to play the type of 15-man game that they and their spectators enjoy.

It did take a while, though, as quite a lot of ball was spilled in the first half and opportunities were missed. Injured captain Henry Richmond was replaced by Gary Andrews and Chris Robinson made his first start of the season.

After early missed penalties by both teams, Valley conceded possession in the Coleraine half. Their big South African second row Herbst galloped unhindered down the middle of the pitch. When he was eventually hauled down on the Valley 22, the ball was moved right for winger Hall to score in the corner. The try went unconverted and Coleraine rather fortuitously led 5-0.

The home team didn't panic and kept pressurising the Coleraine defence but, too often, mistakes handed the initiative back to the visitors. The ball was kicked to Ally Breen on halfway an he fed Sharkey, who in turn released Dunlop. His pass to Andy Breen was spilled and Coleraine had the scrum. The Valley pack shunted Coleraine back and they cleared to touch. A take and drive was brought down illegally and Valley chose to scrummage. The Coleraine pack disintegrated and the referee ran under the posts to signal a penalty try. Lyons converted and Valley led 7-5 after 25 minutes.

The entire Valley team were showing their commitment with the ferocity of their tackling. One such hit by Andy Breen on his opposite number sent shock waves along the touch line. Philip Moore had to leave the field after a heavyweight collision in midfield and was replaced by Kidney. Despite enjoying the majority of possession and territory, Valley couldn't put the points on the board. Indeed, it was Coleraine who took an unlikely 8-7 lead into half time when Lamb kicked a simple penalty after the Valley back row strayed offside.

Coleraine weren't to know what was to hit them after the break. The moves and interplay, which didn't come off in the first half, suddenly came together and Coleraine were simply blown away by an exhilarating display of uninhibited 15-man rugby.

Two minutes into the second half, Valley had scored two tries. The first was by Ally Breen, who finished off a sweeping move with an unconverted try in the corner. The second came after a typical barn-storming break by Philip Falconer, who splintered the Coleraine midfield before releasing Dunlop, who sprinted clear to score at the posts. The conversion was missed but Valley were 17-7 up.

A Valley mistake brought about another try for the impressive Hall, but it was only temporary respite for the shell-shocked visitors. Ally Breen was held up just short of the line but the scoring pass to Andy Breen went to ground and the opportunity was lost. Lyons kicked a simple penalty to bring the score to 20-13 before he was replaced by Bothwell with 20 minutes to go. Bothwell's first duty was to kick a penalty for a high tackle.

The Coleraine restart kick went straight into touch and Valley had the scrum on halfway. Ally Breen made the break and was supported by B J Wilson, who passed to brother Ryan. Just as he was tackled short of the line, he manufactured an overhead pass out of the tackle to the supporting Robinson, who went in for the try. Not exactly out of the coaching manual but home crowd didn't mind. Bothwell added the points and Valley were 30-13 up.

A rare Coleraine attack was turned over but a knock on gave Coleraine the scrum. They tried to move through the midfield but Falconer held up the attacker, stripped the ball off him and released Stinson. B J Wilson was on hand and he, in turn, put Andy Breen in for an unconverted try in the corner. The highly effective (and destructive) Falconer made another turnover and Coleraine conceded a penalty. The kick to the corner brought a lineout take and drive and Giles claimed the touch down. Bothwell added the conversion as the final whistle sounded with Valley the impressive 42-13 winners.

While Coleraine were glad the game came to an end, the Valley supporters would have been disappointed. On a chilly day, they were warmed by the wonderful free-flowing rugby that they witnessed.

Next week, Bangor are the visitors. Hopefully a bigger crowd will come to cheer on the Valley.