Valley secure bonus points to remain second

All-Ireland League 2B

UL Bohemians....35

Clogher Valley....28

CLOGHER Valley made the long four-hour journey to Limerick with their usual large travelling support.

This was key game in the season as second played third. Whoever finishes in second has a home semi-final playoff to reach AIL 2A.

Neither side were likely to finish first as an unbeaten Galwegians have a fourteen-point cushion with five games to go.

Earlier in the season UL Bohs had won the reverse fixture at the Cran so Valley knew this would be a difficult game, and so it proved.

On the 3G pitch from the start, a slick UL side exerted significant pressure on the Valley defence. UL moved the ball wide at every opportunity supported by powerful drives by their heavier pack.

The Valley defence was 'hanging on'. Wave after wave of attacks pinned Valley deep in their own 22. Yet Valley managed three turnovers to relieve the pressure.

After 10 minutes Valley had their first opportunity with a lineout deep in UL territory. However, as so often this season, the lineout did not function, and UL cleared their lines.

UL went back on the offensive. Valley defensive cohesion was keeping them in the game. A

fter 13 minutes UL went over but Valley held them up. At the resultant drop out UL drove for the line, and a small gap allowed them to open their scoring with a converted try.

UL were back on the attack from the restart. Their well drilled backs tried everything to break the Valley defence. Valley were holding on through their defence assisted by a dominant scrum.

It was no surprise when UL scored another converted try on 32 minutes to lead 14-0.

Valley’s attack was virtually non-existent. When they had the ball, they were being forced to kick by the UL defence or mistakes cost them possession.

UL were also kicking for position well and on 36 minutes gained a 50/22.

Their forwards drove for the line but again Valley managed to hold them up for a goal line drop out.

Just before the break Valley had their best spell of the half. They counter rucked in UL 22 and drove for the line. UL were penalised and Valley opted for a scrum.

Several scrum penalties ensured and Valley persisted with a scrum. Valley pick up and drove for the line, however they failed to support the ball carrier, and Ul finished the half with a turnover penalty. A key moment in the game.

At half-time a way back for Valley looked remote. They were struggling to get any go forward ball but always looked dangerous when the ball was moved wide quickly and their scrum, and defence, were outstanding.

UL handling was exceptional as they moved the ball through backs and forwards. However the Valley defence had not let them have any clean breaks despite their dominance with the ball.

On second half restart Ul were penalised. Valley kicked to touch and with a good lineout take a rolling maul went close to UL line.

The forwards released the ball and a pass blind saw Haire touch down in the corner for the first Valley points.

Maxwell converted from the touchline and Valley were back in the game at 7-14.

Valley failed to claim the restart and UL after some recycling freed their winger who scored in the corner a converted try. Back to 7-21.

Valley hit back immediately reclaiming the restart and gaining a penalty. Moving the ball quickly wide they seemed certain to score but a dropped ball ended the promising attack.

Valley still had the penalty and opted for a scrum. Smyton picked up at the base and going blind found winger Karl Bothwell who dived over. A conversion, from the opposite touchline by Maxwell saw the gap again reduced to seven points 14-21.

Again Valley failed to deal with the restart and Ul had a scum. Valley demolished the UL front row, but the referee gave a scrum penalty to Boh. Kick to touch.

A well worked lineout moved to midfield and a drive to the line gave UL another converted try, a bonus point, and UL had a 28-14 lead on 60 minutes

Not to be outdone Valley now pressured the UL line. After 65 minutes man of the match scrum half Matthew Bothwell noticed a small gap and drove over for another try converted by Maxwell and a 21-28 scoreline.

The game then became a midfield battle with neither side able to break the other down though most of the play was still in Valley territory.

A tired Valley were now struggling with the number of tackles they had made throughout the game. On 75 minutes UL moved the ball wide a gap appeared and they scored their fifth converted try to lead 35-21.

It appeared that a dogged Valley side would return home with nothing to show for a valiant display. They reclaimed the restart and won a penalty. Kick to touch but lost the lineout. With seconds left Valley continued to attack.

The forwards drove for the line. A long pass from Maxwell saw Michael Bothwell make a small gap and release Josh Kyle who went over under the posts for a converted try.

The final whistle went and Valley had claimed two bonus points, at 28-35, and maintained second in the table.

Valley now have a difficult run in, especially with a visit to Galwegians to come. They will do well to remain in second.