Coleraine progress in the Junior Cup

The scores stood at 22-all in the game against Clogher Valley and in the dying minutes of the match Coleraine produced a drop goal to clinch the win. It is Coleraine’s first victory of the season and came in good time to bolster the spirits of the team before this week’s qualifying league derby with Ballymoney.

Speaking on Monday Coleraine coach Richard Kernohan said: “We are really looking forward to the Ballymoney game. After last season we go into the match as underdogs but the squad are all as keen as mustard to get on with it.

“The game against Ballymoney will be a big one and it will give us a clear idea of how we stand this season. We are positive about the match and the second half in Armagh and again against Clogher Valley, show just what we are capable of.

“We will be training hard this week to capitalise on the efforts we have been making on the pitch. We also hope to see Jarleth Carey, Leslie George, Brian Cochrane and Chris Barber out there training and available for selection at the weekend.

“There is going to be a lot of competition for places on the starting line-up and the squad will be fighting for positions. That’s a great development for the club and that strength and depth will show in matches.”

Richard was pleased with last week’s result in the Cup. He said: “It was a great result against a strong Clogher Valley team and now it’s onwards and upwards.

“I think we deserved the win but yet again it was a game of two halves, our better play coming in the second half. There were a couple of nicely constructed phases of play then and it was good to see the work on the training pitch transferring into the game.

“All the training is starting to show and the boys gelled better as the game went on. We still gave away too many penalties but we can work on that, and we came out of the game injury free, which is a bonus.”

In the game, Clogher Valley went into an immediate lead when they charged down a clearance in the Coleraine 22, making the most of the chance to score a converted try within three minutes of the start. The visitors added three more from a penalty on 17 minutes.

Coleraine came close when a Phil Coulter effort struck the post and went back into play but just on the half hour he redeemed himself with another penalty from the visitor’s 22 and three points.

Clogher Valley made the most of two further penalties on 32 and 35 minutes as the sides traded attacks.

In the closing minutes of the half Coleraine put in a big push led by a charging run from second row Johnny Gault, forging into the Clogher Valley 22. The ball sped out along the backline and a well worked overlap saw Stuart Simpson power over the line to score in the corner. Coulter claimed the extras and the score was Coleraine 10 Clogher Valley 16 at the break.

In the second half penalties dominated the scoring as both teams pressed home attacks. Three minutes from the restart, the visitors claimed three points and after nine minutes Coleraine replied. Again Clogher Valley scored three points after 12 minutes and Coleraine replied with three on 17 minutes, Coulter on target from 35 metres.

There were other scoring chances for the home side but they were just not able to get across the line. A charge down secured possession for Coleraine deep into the visitor’s 22 but the final pass saw the ball spill out of play.

Steven Dickey made a typically battling run for the line after some strong play in the mid field. Everyone except the referee thought it was a try but no points were awarded.

Coleraine kept up their attack and in the last 15 minutes Coulter made the most of penalties yielded by an under-pressure Clogher Valley, claiming a further six points and levelling the scores at 22-all.

With 35 minutes of the half gone Clogher Valley made a final visit to the Coleraine 22. Determined defensive work by Coulter and Bernard Mullan, charging Clogher Valley’s Bothwell as he attempted a drop goal and did enough to put him off target, keeping Coleraine hopes alive.

From the next attack Coleraine were again given a penalty, just inside their own half. Coulter made a brave attempt for the posts but was just slightly off-target.

From the restart Coleraine attacked deep into the Clogher Valley end. With the ball in possession at the ruck Coleraine took their time and set up Greg Jordan for a drop goal attempt. There was a great cheer form the home support as it slotted between the posts, leaving Coleraine the winners 25-22.

Coleraine now face the possibility of playing University of Ulster Coleraine at the University on October 16. That is a tantalising prospect for the students and a match that will attract a big crowd.

In other matches the scores were Coleraine Seconds 33, Instonians Thirds 13 and Coleraine Thirds 18, Ballymoney 0.

This weekend, Saturday, October 2, Coleraine entertain Ballymoney in a local derby that is sure to attract supporters from both towns. The league match will also decide the winner of the Tweed Cup for this season. Kick off is at 2.30pm

Coleraine First XV: S Jefferson, N Montgomery, A Gaston (A Hogg), P Bogle, J Gault, R Gibson, B Mullan, S Dickey, P Coulter, G Jordan, J Henderson, S Patterson, S Simpson, S Callaghan (N Patterson), A Parke. Subs: A Hogg, N Patterson.

STORY: Milne Rowntree