Valley overpowered in final by Randalstown

This was Valley first youth final and they were underdogs against a strong Randalstown XV. It was obvious from the start that Valley would struggle against the size, strength and conditioning of particularly the Randalstown backs.
Randalstown started at a fast pace and their strong number 10 was making space every time he touched the ball. Valley were hanging on and it was only some aggressive defence that stopped Randalstown. It was no surprise when Randalstown took the lead with a penalty after 10 minutes.
Valley started to put some good phases of forward play together and for the next five minutes enjoyed significant possession. The smaller pack was taking it to their opponents and were making good inroads. Unfortunately they could not make the breakthrough and were then undone when Randalstown were awarded a penalty in midfield. Their scrumhalf saw a gap and kicked the ball to midfield where it was collected by the No10 who ran in from the 22 for a converted try and a 10-0 lead.
Valley returned to the attack and continued to pressurise and should have scored when they drove to under the psosts but give away a penalty. Randalstown continued to kick for position and scored their next try when their scrumhalf again kicked to space. Valley had covered well but the chasing Randalstown No 7 was able to rip the ball free and run in from 30 metres for another try and a 15-0 lead at halftime.
Valley dealt with the restart poorly and were forced back. Randalstown turned the ball over and one pass later had scored to lead 20-0. Valley returned to the attack and a good passage of play saw them in the Randalstown 22 were they were awarded a penalty. Quick thinking by the Valley scrumhalf saw him dart over for a Valley try to reduce the deficit.
Valley continued to enjoy possession and territory but lost key players to injury and were not able to build on their momentum. Valley were still playing well but the problem was that every loose ball or mistake was being punished by the slick Randalstown backs. Three times Valley dropped or did not protect the ball on half way and three times Randalstown No 10 or No13 took advantage to score as they ran around the tiring Valley defence. The game finished with Valley losing 37-5.
The Valley forwards won the loose battle and had outstanding players in the two props and in No 7 who worked tirelessly the whole game supported by the rest of the pack. In the backs the two centres tackled themselves to a standstill. The difference in the teams was the better conditioning and speed of the Randalstown backs. They deserved to win but if Valley had been able to contain the backs better then the score would have been much closer.
All the Valley players and coaches will be disappointed with the result but for a first appearance at Ravenhill they performed very well and can be very proud of their efforts.