Galwegians 21 Clogher Valley 22   

Clogher Valley visited Galway on Saturday for their third game in Energia AIL 2B to take on Galwegians who were promoted along with Valley last season. In their previous encounter in Crowley Park, the Valley were narrow victors, 22-19, with a last-minute try. 

Having beaten Malone in a nail-biter and succumbed to a very strong and clinical Wanderers in the past 2 weeks, Valley travelled hoping to get back to winning ways against a team smarting from two last-play defeats by a total of three points in their opening games in 2B.  

Prior to the game, both sides observed a minute’s silence in tribute to the late Aidan Higgins, a great Galwegian. 

With a heavy shower arriving just before kick-off, Valley began playing uphill with the swirling wind slightly favouring them in the first half. As both teams settled into the game early exchanges were equal in a midfield battle. On seven minutes, centre Luke Russell was yellow carded, after consultation with the linesman, for an accidental collision with Galwegians full back Kennedy.  

On 11 minutes, following a scrum turnover and a good kick through by David Maxwell, Ewan Haire was taken out in the air and the penalty which Maxwell wisely opted to kick resulted in a three-point lead. 

With Russell returning, the midfield battle continued with neither side able to assert dominance until Galwegians winger Tracey cut a good line, on 16 minutes, only to knock on when he looked to have found a gap.  

Allen who was having an excellent game was replaced on a planned substitution after half an hour by Aaron Dunwoody. 

The nip and tuck battle continued until Maxwell made a good break. At the next scrum, Valley won a penalty and it was evident the pack were dominating scrum time. 

The astute tactical rotation of hookers Aaron Crawford and Kyle Cobane by coach Stephen Bothwell proved crucial on a difficult day for lineout throwers.   

With their scrum now under pressure and the home team pinned in their own 22, Dunwoody charged down a clearance kick and touched down for Maxwell to comfortably convert bringing the score to 10-0 for the visitors. 

For the remainder of the first half and early in the second half the strong Valley defence dealt with Galwegians' pressure. 

On 48 minutes, having got into Galwegians 22 ever alert scrum half Matthew Bothwell pounced on an uncontrolled ball at the base of a Galwegians scrum to dart over out wide and extend the visitor's lead to 15 points. In the strong swirling win, the conversion was carried off course. 

Valley appeared to be now comfortably controlling Galwegians' pressure and the game. The travelling Valley faithful were becoming more relaxed before being shocked in the 63rd minute. 

After winning a rare scrum penalty, Galwegians opted to run and after their second attempt were able to force over under the posts to make the score 7-15. 

Valley responded to bring play deep into the home 22. In the 69th minute, with Valley expecting a penalty to touch, the Galwegian kicker, noticing Valley off guard opted to tap and go. Following a couple of hack-ons, impressive winger Tracey won the chase to the ball which to many appeared to be knocked on over the dead ball line, however after consultation with the linesman the ref awarded a try which was converted to bring the score to 14-15. 

Worse was to follow for Valley soon after play resumed. A chip through from Valley was intercepted and following a couple of passes winger Tracey again popped up to claim his second try and put Galwegians into the lead 21-15. 

With time now running out a response was needed from the Valley and it duly came.  Scrum after scrum kept play in the home 22. When Smyton broke from the base of a scrum the forwards looked determined to cross the line.  Showing clinical control and patience after what must have been at least 20 pick and goes and deep in injury time hooker Cobane found the space to touch down under the post. Maxwell made sure of the conversion to snatch victory 22-21 in the last play of the game from a stunned and shocked Galwegians who have now had to suffer three last-minute defeats. The ‘Player of the Match’ award was presented to Aaron Crawford. 

Clogher Valley players and coaches will be pleased to have come through the first block of 3 difficult games sitting mid-table on 8 points.  They now have a welcome break before resuming league duties against UL Bohemian at the Cran on Saturday 19th October 2024.