Valley prevail after tight tussle with Hinch

CLOGHER Valley booked their place in the semi-finals of the Junior Cup on Thursday night when they edge past a tough Ballynahinch seconds outfit by just three points at The Cran.

The clash proved to be one of the Valley men’s most difficult assignments to date this term, and it was certainly very different to when the sides last met when Clogher prevailed by 64-0.

However, it was a very different Ballynahinch side which took to the field in this cup match and despite the wet conditions, the visitors were sharp around the pitch and displayed a high level of skill in getting the ball through the backs’ hands to the wingers.

It was the home side though, playing in their unfamiliar red strip, who opened the scoring after 10 minutes with Adam Boles crossing the line. Skipper Paul Armstrong added the extra two points.

‘Hinch replied quickly with their own converted try to draw level. This was the warning shot to the Valley side, that they had a tough match ahead.

At the 30-minute point Armstrong, with a cross field kick, gave Regan Wilkinson the opportunity to outsprint his opposite number and touch down in the corner. Armstrong added the extra two points. The Valley led 14-7.

The visitors responded again with their own converted try three minutes later to draw level.

As the half came to a close Armstrong slotted home a penalty to give the home side a slender 17-14 lead.

The home crowd have become familiar to the Valley upping their game in the second half, especially in the last 20 minutes with their higher level of fitness and skills.

This however was not going to happen with this ‘Hinch side as the visitors threw everything at the Valley, but the home side’s defence held firm.

A penalty to ‘Hinch brought them level again at 17-17 and with 20 minutes to go, despite the poor weather conditions, the Valley started to play expansive rugby.

It was now the visitors turn to defend. Wave after wave of surging runs kept ‘Hinch pinned in their own half. However, it was simple mistakes from the Valley that would let the visitors clear their lines.

Then, the Valley were awarded a penalty 30 meters out. Normally the home side would have kicked to touch, take the lineout and pushed for the full seven points, but the calm head of the skipper called for a shot at the posts.

Armstrong dully added the three points to give the Valley the lead again 20-17 and this proved decisive when the final whistle was sounded and the Valley were through to the semi-finals of the Junior Cup.

The Valley return to league duties this coming weekend with an away trip to Shaws Bridge in Belfast, against a confident Cooke side, who ousted Enniskillen in their quarter-final clash on Thursday night.