Rampant Clogher run in ten tries in opening day victory
Clogher Valley 1st XV 60 Carrickfergus 1st XV 10
CLOGHER Valley started this season where they finished last, with a ten-try demolition of visitors Carrickfergus at the Cran.
The home side dominated from the outset, running in four first-half tries before adding a further six as they looked to build on the success of last season.
It took just three minutes of the new campaign for Valley to register their opening try.
Prop Richard Primrose picked the ball up from a ruck 15 metres out and drove through several Carrick defenders to score for the Valley.
The crowd had just finished cheering the opening try when Ewan Haire broke in defence, carved his way through the Carrick defence to pop the ball to younger brother Taine, who finished off the break with a 25-metre run in to double Valley’s score.
Eight minutes later, Carrick responded with a try of their own down the left wing.
However, Clogher remained in control and with 18 minutes on the clock they spread the ball wide in their own half; with limited options winger Taine Haire chipped ahead, chased his own kick, and gathered cleanly to score close to the posts.
Matthew Bothwell on kicking duties added the two points. The Valley led 17-5.
From deep in their own 22-metre area the Valley started to throw the ball around, and spotting gaps in the Carrick defence they burst out, gave the ball to Ewan Haire who sprinted 80 metres to score Clogher’s fourth try, giving them the bonus point before the half-time break.
The home side continued the second half where they left off at the end of the first.
A scrum 30 metres out saw the ball secured before Bothwell passed to Ewan Haire who cut back against the grain to find holes in the Carrick defence and score under the posts. Matthew Bothwell converted to bring the score to 29-5 to the Valley.
Effectively over
While the game was effectively over as a competitive match, there were still more than 30 minutes left to play.
The Valley went to sleep for a few minutes and allowed Carrick in for their second try, and that was the only time in the second half the visitors truly looked dangerous.
As the match was reaching the hour mark, Ewan Haire sliced through the Carrick defence, running from deep in his own half, popping the ball to Matthew Bothwell who scored his second try under the posts. Bothwell converted his own try.
Five minutes later, David Stinson went on the rampage. Knocking Carrick players aside like flies, he set up the ruck 30 metres out, a Carrick hand or boot dislodged the ball, Matthew Bothwell was fastest to react, nabbing the ball and sprinting through to score his third and bring Valley’s total to over 40 points.
Clogher, now 41-10 up, were throwing the ball wide at any opportunity.
From deep in their own 22-metre area, the ball almost touched every Valley player, before they created the gap in the Carrick defence.
Taine Haire gathered the ball at the halfway point and outsprinted his opposite number to score his third try on his first team debut. The Valley were now comfortably 48-10 up, but they were not finished.
Ewan Haire collected the ball, kicked, chased but as he came close to the Carrick try line slightly ahead of the defender, he was pulled down before he could touch the ball.
The referee had a different interpretation of what happened, and despite a detailed explanation from the Valley full back, the two remained to have a difference of opinion.
Carrick tried to emulate the Valley and run the ball out of defence, but with tired legs and lack of focus, the execution was poor.
The Valley stole the ball, passed through several set of hands and Michael Bothwell was there to score in the corner on his first team debut.
As the half ended, a Valley scrum five metres out from the Carrick line was driven backwards. Callum Smyton broke, then was on the receiving end of a pass, several recycles later to drive over to score.
David Maxwell added the extra points to bring the total to 60 for the day.
So four tries from the Bothwell brothers, four tries from the Haire brothers and excellent breaks from the Smyton brothers, Callum and Reece – ‘Brothers in Arms’ was an appropriate tune to play.
Coach Stephen Bothwell, while pleased with scoring 60 points, feels there is still a lot to do.
“Our set play was good; when we move the ball, it is exciting and looks good, but we are making too many mistakes,” said the coach.
Taine Haire was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his hat trick on his debut.
Next week is the local derby against Enniskillen at Mullaghmeen.