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| Clogher Valley (10) vs City of Armagh (29) |
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14th October 2006
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Armagh had their heads held high after last week's result against City of Derry but Coach Andy Hughes knew that Clogher Valley were to be a different kettle of fish. Previous encounters had given Hughes a basis on which to build his game plan, but all knew that it would take a consistent and combined effort to beat the home side. The tension was evident on both sides that this was a game that both sides wanted to win.
An early knock on from Armagh showed the nerves and Clogher seemed to gain momentum from this momentary lapse. Best duly took the kick and gave Clogher the first points of the game. But the lapse in concentration for Armagh was over and even though the wind was against them Armagh made headway and gained much needed ground.
With Adam Gowing down with some bug, it was back to Johnny Steenson to retake over the kicking duties and when the time came he slotted over his first test of the game.
The next passage of play was messy on both sides with mistakes made from both packs and back lines. The fortunate thing was that neither side could capitalise on the others mistakes and some real end to end play followed.
Armagh maintained their form in the lineouts with excellent ball taken squarely in the hands of Morton and Hill, and when that ball was able to escape the Clogher defence runs down the line from Irwin and Manu gave glimpses of the Armagh power. But the defence was strong and power was not enough to gain total control.
Another well worked back line move gave the travelling Armagh crowd something to shout about, An out of position Leigh Manu, Johnny Allen and Edie Irwin all combined their skill and power to see Manu over the line for the first try. Duly converted against the wind and Armagh were on a roll. Unfortunately an underlying injury to Willis forced him off and saw the welcome return of young Josh Morton.
The backs then worked themselves into space to allow some free running play and despite the Clogher Valley defence Johnny Allen ran through put another 5 points on the board. Steenson duly converted to make it a very credible 17-03 at half time.
The second half restarted in the same vein as the first with pressure coming from all quarters. Armagh upped their work rate and dominated all aspects of play for the next session of play and it paid off when after a sustained attack the pack pushed over the line. This was despite the Clogher line remaining straight and their pack tight. When the bodies removed themselves it was Andy Hughes who rose to claim the plaudits of Armagh's third try.
This really was turning into a close quarter game with very little ball being allowed to either back lines.
But Clogher Valley were in no mood to lie down and allow Armagh to have all the glory. After a missed pass to Irwin, Clogher stepped up their work rate to make the game closer than before. Clogher's pack continued relentlessly to push at the Armagh front row, and every line out was won by their versatile number 8 David Sharkey.
Clogher's own back line of Falconer, Lyons and Breen were fed ball upon ball by captain Bates and this tenacity paid off with a try of their own. The wind by this time was swirling and gusty round the pitch, but Best steadied himself to close the game to 10-24.
Certainly this made both backs and forwards concentrate their minds on the rest of the game. But a break away catch from Josh Morton allowed Andy Hughes to run close to the line and score his second of the game. But even as the wind died around the Cran, the angle was too much for Steenson and conversion fell wide and left the score at 29-10 to the visitors.
The spectators had all done their sums and realised that the bonus point was going home with Armagh.
However the game was still by no means over and Armagh were quickly from attack to defence as Clogher saw and exploited gaps in the Armagh game. BJ Wilson and overseas hooker Adam Duhig kept calm and pushed the Armagh line further and further down the pitch.
But Armagh were in no mood to allow any more points to Clogher and with some intelligent play on all quarters, and world class try saving tackle from Johnny Steenson, Armagh's unbeaten start to the season has remained intact.
Armagh face the very unpredictable Enniskillen, away next week and Coach Andy Hughes knows that this match will be not an easy one and that is if everyone at his disposal is fit. But he is optimistic that his young side have the experience and skill to score another win. |
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