Clogher see off Bruff to edge closer to league title

CLOGHER Valley took a big step towards winning the Energia All-Ireland League 2C title on Saturday when they thumped third-placed Bruff 40-7 at The Cran.

Stephen Bothwell’s men broke down the Bruff resistance during the first half before racing away with the win during the second period as a 12-0 interval lead ended with an emphatic victory.

Despite the rain, heavy pitch conditions and the heavy pitch, Clogher were head and shoulders above their rivals and in the end tries from Callum Smyton (2), captain Paul Armstrong, Jamie Allen, Matthew Bothwell and man of the match Ewan Haire, allied to five David Maxwell conversions, saw them home with plenty to spare.

And with their nearest title challengers, Galwegians, having their home clash with Bangor rained off, Clogher now enjoy an 11 point lead at the top with four games remaining, while the Galway men do have a game in hand but they now know they can’t afford a single slip between now and the end of the season.

“The first half was tight but the start of the second half we defended well when under pressure and I think keeping them out probably hit them hardest, so I was delighted with that,” Bothwell beamed.

“And I’m delighted to get it over the line today (Saturday) with a bonus point.”

Conditions at the Cran  switched from miserable to horrendous and back to miserable again and it was difficult for both sides to play the rugby they wanted.

As with most games this season the physicality of the opposition caused early problems for the Valley. Under the cosh for the opening quarter the Valley defence was simply superb. A Bruff penalty sailed wide before the home side started top gain more and more possession and control of play.

A strong foray into the visitors half was the prelude to the opening try. A pin point dink over the top by Matthew Bothwell was chased down by Ewan Haire to gather evade two defenders and score the opening try of the day. David Maxwell added the conversion.

It was blow and counter blow in the second quarter as both sides struggled to master the conditions.

As the half neared its conclusion the Valley earned a strong field position deep in the red zone. Several penalties were run which were initially well defended by Bruff but the pressure had to tell and Jamie Allen crashed over for the Valley second try. It went unconverted leaving the Valley twelve points to the good at the break.

The second half started as the first had with Bruff in the ascendancy and the Valley again in defensive mode. A thunderous Neill Henderson tackle must have shook the foundations of the new Hub as he epitomised the rear guard action being shown by the Valley.

Eventually turnover ball and a huge relieving kick by Callum Smyton broke the siege.

Five minutes later as Bruff were regrouping a Matthew Bothwell blindside snipe followed by a Paul Armstrong kick ahead caused panic in the visitors defence and they erred . Penalty to the Valley wide out on the right hand side. Scrum option was taken and the pack shunted the visitors back over their own line for number eight Callum Smyton to get the all -important touchdown with David Maxwell duly adding the extras.

Bruff who are a good side immediately forced their way back into the Valley 22’metre area but were hit with two long range tries in the space of a few minutes.

First Paul Armstrong intercepted in his own 22’ metre area and raced some seventy metres with Bruff defenders hard on his heels to score a great individual try and earn a bonus point for his side. Maxwell again added the extras.

Immediately from the restart Callum Smyton broke several tackles swivelled and found himself clear to run in from sixty metres out for a try that David Maxwell then goaled.

Aaron Dunwoody set up the last try of the day. He broke several tackles in a race to the line but was hauled down just short but Matthew Bothwell was on hand to gather and dive over for the Valley sixth try of the day duly goaled by Maxwell.

Bruff scored a late try of their own with the touch line conversion wrapping up the scoring for the day.

Clogher have a free Saturday this coming weekend before travelling to Clonmel on March 2^nd.