News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
 CV win in U14 Shield Final

CV win in U14 Shield Final

Bob Beatty16 Apr 2019 - 13:18
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Clogher Valley 55 Banbridge 5


The Valley youth section wrapped up their season in fine fashion with this emphatic win for the U14s in the final of the U14 Shield at the Mid Ulster Youth Centre on Saturday morning.
Playing into the biting wind the Valley kept the ball in hand and got their big ball carriers into the game early doors. Liggett, McKeown, O’Donnell and Allen made inroads as they pinned Banbridge back. Soon the pressure would tell with the impressive McKeown driving over from a 5 metre scrum on the 12 minute mark. The conversion in the conditions proved to be too difficult.
From the restart outhalf Hunter gathered and stormed through a host of defenders and sprinted clear to the posts for a fine individual try. This time Bogue added the extras.
Inspirational skipper O’ Donnell created the next leaving defenders sprawled over the pitch in a scintillating break before off-loading to Hunter to cross for his second try. The conversion was added by Bogue.
The pick and go tactic worked well and soon Allen went over for the fourth try.
Banbridge kept plugging away and took play deep into Valley territory. The Valley turned over a ‘Bann lineout and O’Donnell from seventy metres out hit the ‘after burners’ scorching away for a great try. Bogue goaled bringing the Valley tally to 31 points
Gowdy added the final try of the half after another passage of excellent play which Bogue duly goaled leaving Banbridge in arrears by 38 points at the break.
The coaches emptied the bench at half time and soon Somerville who replaced McKeown at No 8 picked and drove of the back of a scrum for a hard earned try.
Banbridge were much more competitive in this half and held the ‘whip hand’ for a period thereafter. A succession of penalties conceded by Clogher Valley saw them gain a good field position which they capitalised on with a try of their own.
In their attempt to add another try they tried to run from deep but they fumbled and O’Donnell reacted the quickest gathering up the loose ball and crossing for the 8th try with Bogue adding the extras.
With minutes to go hooker Noble put in a very inventive cross field kick which Bogue gathered and sprinted in for the final try of the day.
A great end to the season with credit going to the coaches Jonny Trimble, John Wiggins and youth convenor Paul Eakin.

Further reading