Inst put the ball out on the full to start the game and from the resultant scrum Maxwell obtained a 50/22 lineout. However strong defence from Inst negated the position. It was six minutes until Inst launched a meaningful attack into Valley territory. They moved the ball wide but Maxwell intercepted and sprinted the length of the field for the opening try which he then converted. Valley support voiced there approval.

The game became bogged down in midfield. Valley had most of the possession but could not find gaps in Inst defence. In scums and lineouts, though Valley were retaining their own ball , they were always under pressure.

On 19 minutes Inst were awarded a penalty for foul play. They kicked to the touchline and with their first catch and drive splintered the Valley defence for a converted try and a 7-7 score line.

From the restart kick long the Inst No6, (easily their best player and you have to wonder why he is only playing at this level), burst though the kick chase and then fed his winger for a easy try under the posts. So within two minutes Valley were behind 7-14 slightly against the run of play.

To some sides this would have been a hammer blow. However Valley continued to match Inst and after 30 mins were awarded a penalty deep in Inst 22. They opted for a scrum. After being recycled several times Matthew Bothwell was able to go over in the corner for an unconverted try.

On 34 minutes an Inst player was sinbinned for a high tackle but HT arrived with Valley behind 12-14.

The second half started well for Valley. On 44 minutes backchat to the referee saw Inst marched ten yards to kicking range. Maxwell duly kicked the points and Valley led 15-14. The lead was not to last long. Valley had their own yellow card and when Inst kicked to touch their maul added another unconverted try to lead 15-19.

Inst were lifting their game but Valley were defending well. On 56 minutes outstanding interplay from Valley forwards and backs was just stopped on the Inst line, but had forced a scrum 5. However Inst stopped the drive and a penalty released the pressure.

This spurred Inst to greater efforts and the remainder of the game was to be on the edge of the Valley 22. Though Inst had the territory the Valley scrum and lineout was starting to get the upper hand and strong defending never gave Inst another try scoring opportunity. On 76 minutes Inst had a kickable penalty. It was a sign of their concern that they opted for the kick and a 15-22 lead. (the last time they had been pushed so hard was in October 2021 when a disputed one point victory at the Cran in the league was obtained with a similar kick)

Valley hit back in the closing minutes but were stopped short by the Inst defence who were able to close out the game.

Valley will take a lot of positives from the game. Defensively they were outstanding with man of the match Karl Bothwell to the fore. Just a few mistakes which were punished ruthlessly by an Inst side were the difference. Next week they move on to another Senior league fixture away against neighbours Omagh.