Clogher 65-26 Malahide
Clogher Valley welcomed Malahide to The Cran for the Energia All Ireland League round six fixture.
With the benign and unseasonally mild weather conditions, the crowd were hopeful of a free flowing and entertaining game and that is exactly what they got.
It wasn’t long before the Valley men opened the scoring.
A Malahide kick was fielded by Karl Bothwell and after some sublime passing Jamie Allen made inroads into the Malahide defence and supplied David Stinston with a pass and there was no stopping the big Springfield man.
David Maxwell supplied the extras and Clogher got the start they wanted.
Soon after, Clogher made their way back into the Malahide 22, a maul was set following a quick penalty and Callum Smyton peeled off the side to crash over for the second try of the game with Maxwell again converting.
With 11 minutes on the clock, Maxwell kicked his first penalty of the game to give Clogher a 15-0 lead and the start they wanted.
Malahide then reduced the deficit with a converted try from their prop forward. Following good pressure from Aaron Dunwoody, Maxwell kicked another penalty to increase Valley’s lead.
Clogher’s third try came following a strong break in the midfield by Armstrong and rugby’s equivalent of a “one-two” with Matty Bothwell resulted in the skipper crashing over the line.
As the half was nearing its end the Valley had time for one more score. Following another attack K Bothwell retrieved a loose ball and fed the supporting Dunwoody who crossed the whitewash and with the conversion successful left the halftime score 32 points to 7.
Not long into the second half Clogher adjusted the scoreboard once again. Following a Malahide knock on and another strong carry by Allen, the ball was popped to Tommi Coulter who crashed over under the posts. Maxwell was again successful with the conversion.
Following a lineout deep in Clogher’s half. Maxwell fed Luke Russell who made a decisive break before releasing Paul Armstrong who scampered in from 40 metres for his brace.
Malahide then scored their second try of the game following a catch and drive from a lineout and with the conversion goaled the scoreline was 44-14 with 50 minutes played.
Clogher’s penultimate score came following a 5m scrum. The Valley men dominating and driving the opposition back, Matty Bothwell darted in to score.
Malahide then scored their third try when a kick in behind was fielded by their winger.
With the game nearing its conclusion, Karl Bothwell made a break down the right wing who passed to the supporting Haire who made ground before passing to a rampaging Stinson for his second try of the day. Maxwell added the extras to complete his highly impressive days kicking.
The final score of this entertaining fixture went to visitors Malahide who scored their forth try and therefore securing a losing bonus point.
This emphatic victory was built on a well-functioning set piece and a resolute defence, however it was Clogher’s attacking flair and much superior skills that set these two sides apart.
Ewan Haire won the coveted man of the match award. Next week the first XV travel to Sligo, the seconds are at home to Ballynahinch and the thirds at home to Virginia.
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