CLOGHER VALLEY ........................... 22
ARMAGH ......................................... 7
Clogher Valley reached their second successive Powerade Towns Cup Final with a comfortable 22–7 victory over Kukri Qualifying League Champions Armagh.
As with the league game before Christmas, the wet and windy conditions at The Cran prevented the free flowing game, which both sides aspire to.
Clogher got off to a dream start when the Armagh kick off did not go the required ten metres. From the scrum on halfway, Wilson drove at the Armagh defence. Quick ball was released right through Bothwell and Sharkey. The mobile second row forward made ground before releasing Ally Breen, who scorched into the Armagh 22, chipped ahead and won the race for the touchdown. Bothwell's conversion drifted wide but Valley were up and running.
The strong wind was blowing diagonally across the pitch and Ally Breen was able to exploit the elements time and again to keep Armagh on the back foot. Valley were able to thwart any Armagh attacks with the back row trio of Stephen Baxter, Barry John Wilson and Ryan Wilson to the fore.
Dunlop made ground into the Armagh 22 after collecting a drop-out. The Armagh full-back scrambled the ball into touch and Valley had the throw in. Sharkey soared to take the line out and the valley pack drove towards the Armagh line. As the maul drifted towards the posts, and with the Armagh forwards committed to stopping the drive, open side flanker Baxter peeled off the back of the maul to go in for a try at the posts with only the referee to sidestep. Bothwell converted and Valley led 12-0 with only seven minutes gone.
Play continued in a similar vein with the home side able to repel anything that Armagh could muster and Bothwell and Breen putting the ball behind the visitors. On 17 minutes, Bothwell landed a penalty after Armagh went offside at the ruck.
Chris Robinson made a brilliant tackle and turnover on his own 22 and scrumhalf Weir made some excellent 'marks' and clearances inside the 22 as Valley continued to frustrate Armagh. This frustration boiled over when their blindside flanker was yellow-carded for illegal use of the boot.
Dunlop made a searing break into the Armagh half and was taken out by trailing leg. The culprit went unpunished save the award of a penalty. Bothwell's penalty attempt missed narrowly but Valley were comfortable at 15-0 as half-time approached.
Once again, Armagh exerted some pressure in the dying minutes of the half and once again the Valley defence held firm.
The second half started with Valley soaking up more Armagh attacks before returning the compliment by pressurising the visitors in their own 22. Another line out take was driven over the Armagh line by the rampant Valley pack and Sharkey claimed the try. Bothwell converted and Valley held a 22 point advantage.
The wind was now howling into the faces of the Clogher players but they continued to keep Armagh out.
Ryan Wilson was yellow carded and Armagh used their one-man advantage to good effect as they gave the Valley forwards some of their own medicine. A line out drive resulted in a try in the corner and the superb conversion brought the score to 22-7 with 20 minutes to go.
The last quarter saw Armagh try to reduce the deficit but the Valley defence was comfortable. It was not the prettiest rugby you will ever see at the Cran but the home supporters did not care as Valley ran the clock down to progress comfortably to the Cup final.
Once again, the forwards were the rock that the victory was built on. The 'in-your-face' defence of the backs frustrated the Armagh back line continually. Stephen Baxter typified the endeavour of the forwards and his all action display saw him win the 'man of the match' award.
Cup action continues at the Cran on Saturday when Ballynahinch are the Visitors in the final Junior Cup league game. Valley have already qualified for the quarter-finals having won all their previous matches in the competition, but the players want to keep the winning momentum going. Valley supporters are urged to come along to cheer their team on in another cup campaign.
