Men’s Firsts 21 – Clogher Valley 22

For the second home game in succession, it was an agonising finale for Galwegians who saw victory once again snatched from their grasp when they conceded a converted try in the very last play. Having suffered the same fate in their season-opener against Skerries, this time was their new foes Clogher Valley from Ulster, who caused the heartache when a try under the posts deep in stoppage time saw them claim victory by the narrowest of margins.

In a game played in appaling condition in driving rain and a gale force wind, it was the visitors who had the elements at their back in the first half attacking the club house end. They took an early lead with a 12^th minute penalty from out-half David Maxwell. Wegians were giving as good as they got and for all their territorial dominance, the visitors rarely threatened the try line. The Blues were very good value for a 0-3 deficit approaching the interval,  however disaster struck on the stroke of halftime as a charged-down clearance kick on the home try-line saw sub Clogher Valley hooker Aaron Crawford ground the ball under the posts for the vital first try.  Maxwell added the extras and suddenly the Blues headed into the break facing a ten point deficit.

The hosts came came right out of the traps in the second half using the elements to set up camp in the opposition 22. However, they were unable to make it pay as a resolute Valley defence and some misplaced final passes meant they were unable to cross the line. Then having worked their way upfield, the visitors struck a killer blow on 50 minutes. When a Wegians scrum on their own 22 went against the head, scrum-half Matthew Bothwell scooped the ball to dart over unopposed in the right corner for an unconverted try.

15 points in arrears,  it looked a tall order for Wegiansat this juncture. However, they never stopped believing and despite being held out by the disciplined visiting defence, they eventually got their reward just after the hour mark when a series of pick and go’s saw flanker Oisin Halpin diver over to score his first try of the season under the sticks. Stevie Mannion converted to reduce the gap to 7-15, and this would trigger an extraordinary 8 minute passage during which the Blues would rack up another two tries to turn the game on its head.

Five minutes later, some quick thinking by Mannion saw him tap and run a penalty o the blindside. With support from full back Daragh Kennedy, a clever kick and chase created the chance for winger Finn Tracey, who hacked on and despite the unwanted attentions of the covering defence, he was judged to have grounded the ball just inside the dead ball line. Mannion added an excellent touchline conversion, and suddenly the Blues had all the momentum.  Two minutes later, Mannion made an intercept near halfway and with support from his outside centre Cian Brady, Tracey was again on hand to apply the finishing touches and score on the right. Mannion once again made a nonsense of the swirling breeze to land another perfect conversion. Suddenly out of nowhere, Wegians had a 6 point lead heading into the final 8 minutes.

 This set up a predictably tense finale. Clogher Valley to their credit refused to get rattled and set about their business. However the Blues were holding their own until a last minute scrum penalty was awarded to the large visiting pack on halfway. This led to a kick to the corner anda final roll of the dice. After some 20 plus phases of pick and go’s near the line, eventually it was another substitute front row, Kyle Cobane who burrowed his way over at the foot of the posts. Maxwell converted to break Galwegians hearts and seal the win.

It was a cruel sense of déjà vu for the Blues who have lost their first 3 games in Division 2B, and yet incredibly they have a points differential of just minus 4. This shows how competitive they are in this league and no doubt they will be working on their ability to close out games.  Their next fixture is as tough as it comes with an away trip to the early pace-setters Wanderers who have racked up three bonus point wins from three.