BALLYCLARE .................................. 14
CLOGHER VALLEY ........................... 15
Clogher Valley wanted to maintain their unbeaten record in the Junior Cup group matches.
On a sticky pitch, against the elements, they were made to fight all the way by a resurgent Ballyclare side intent on gaining revenge for the heavy defeat at The Cran early in the season.
Valley got off to a dream start when Ally Breen was at the end of a sweeping backline move to score in the corner.
Lyons missed the difficult conversion but the pack was on top and the travelling supporters were hoping for more to come.
The home side had other ideas and they used the wind to good advantage to pin Valley back in the 22.
Excellent defensive work kept Ballyclare out, but but the left winger was released and he scampered over for a converted try after 20 minutes.
The Valley backs continued to misfire as they squandered too many opportunities to capitalise on the ball that the forwards were providing. The pack were dominant in the set piece and Ballyclare could get no forward momentum.
The mobile second row duo of Robinson and Sharkey were again to the fore. Ballyclare held out until five minutes before half-time when a quick tap penalty put Andy Breen in for an unconverted try in the corner leaving the score 7-10 to Valley.
The action reached fever pitch as play ebbed and flowed. The speedy Ballyclare back three were a constant thorn in the Valley flesh, but Valley's defence held firm. Poor handling and option-taking nullified any cohesive back play and the score remained at 7-10 at half-time.
Valley's forward dominance continued in the second half, but the all-important score would not come. Too many times ball was turned over, handing the initiative back to the home side.
Five minutes into the second half, Valley drove the 'Clare pack over their own line and Ryan Wilson claimed the touchdown. The try went unconverted to leave the score 15-7 with 25 minutes to go.
To their credit, Ballyclare didn't give up, and play ebbed and flowed between the two 22 metre lines.
Valley seemed to relax, spurning a number of scoring opportunities.
The Ballyclare defence kept Valley out and capitalised on some loose passing.
With five minutes to go, and with Valley on the attack deep inside the home 22, a loose pass was intercepted and the flying full-back ran the length of the pitch to score a converted try to bring the score to 14-15.
The Valley nerve held and the remainder of the game was played inside the Ballyclare 22 to run down the clock.
Sterner tasks lie ahead as Valley look to progress in both the Junior and Towns Cups.
Next Saturday sees the visit of Kukri Qualifying One Champions, Armagh, to The Cran for the Towns' Cup semi-final. A large home support is expected to watch the top two teams in Qualifying League One battle it out for a Towns' Cup final place.
