Valley women edge closer to title

CLOGHER Valley RFC’s women’s first XV have moved to within touching distance of their first title in the Women’s Championship B.

The team is sitting nine points ahead of closest rivals, Virginia who have two games to play, with the Valley having one more match. Whilst mathematically it is still possible for the Valley not to win the league, it would require an upset on a scale never seen before in women’s rugby.

The match at the Cran was effectively the league decider. Virginia nine points behind, needed to win with a Bonus point and for the Valley not to get anything from the match. This was always going to be a touch encounter. In the previous match at Virginia, the Valley came away with the spoils, but three months on these are two different teams. Both sides have greatly improved and the large crowd of several hundred were looking forward to a close game.

It was the hosts who were first on the score sheet. On the 15-minute mark, Zoe Somerville took a quick penalty, 10 meters out from the Virginia line, she popped to Katie Hetherington who sent Shauna Hagan through a gap to score the first try.

Virginia hit back with their own well worked try 8 minutes later. The match then became a stalemate of hard tackles and neither side getting the upper hand. On the cusp of halftime, Virginia scored their 2nd try, and went into the interval 12-5 ahead.

The Valley scored their 2nd try 10 minutes into the 2nd period. Following numerous phases, slick hands got the ball out the backs and it ended with Katie Brown on the left wing, who powered over to score. The try was not converted, the hosts were still behind 12-10.

As the match clocked ticked by, the Valley were the more dominant, but never really were able to penetrate through the Virginia defence with any real breaks. Both teams had the ball held up over the try line and many of the Valley supporters became a little concerned. Virginia then scored an unconverted try on the 30 minute mark and the outcome was not looking in the favour of the hosts.

Despite surging runs from Shauna O’Hagan, Sarah Hopper and Kendall Johnston, the home side was unable to get over the line. Even when Lucy Somerville broke through and placed the ball on the try line for a score, her pleas were ignored, Virginia scoped up the ball and played on.

As the clock neared the 40 minutes, you could see the determination on the Valley faces, they were not going down without a fight. They increased the tempo, faster to the breakdown and spinning the ball out to the ‘speedsters’. It was Marie Treanor who broke through several tackles and sprinted the 40 meters in to bring the Valley score to within two points of Virginia (17–15). All rested on the conversion. Up stepped Lucy Somerville, with ice running through her veins, she slotted the ball between the sticks to equal up the score 17– 17.

A draw was a fair result for the match with both sides playing well. The Valley’s final game against Lurgan is scheduled for four weeks away, but Lurgan failed to field a team when the two teams were due to meet in November.

“I am proud of what this team has achieved in what really is their first proper season,” said Coach David Black. “They train hard, listen to what is being said and you can see the improvements week on wee”.

Team Captain, Sarah Hopper also echoed the praise from the coach: “These games are tough, but we are improving every week.”

With the league on hold, Virginia are again the opposition in the Semi Final of the Cup, which will be played on St Patrick’s day, at the Cran.