Dungannon kicked off in this first ever AIL encounter with neighbours Clogher Valley. The Valley has made impressive strides since its formation in 1990 to now play in AIL 2B and in this game presented the home side with a stern challenge. Here, we had two Tyrone teams playing fine rugby at times with no quarter given, in front of a crowd not seen at Stevenson Park in many years.

An early Dungannon kick was charged down and the visitors made full use of their advantage, particularly when Dungannon were penalised for not releasing and then for a counter rucking offence. Following some good handling the visitors opened the scoring when Karl Bothwell touched down. David Maxwell converted to make amends for an earlier penalty miss in front of the posts giving them a 7 point start.

Dungannon came back well and within 10 minutes had levelled the score when after a period of pressure and an impressive driving maul from the line out, James Gamble got the opening try, with Ben McCaughey converting at 7-7.

Dungannon knew that they were in a game with the direct uncompromising runs from the visitors and any of their wayward kicks were duly punished by giving the Valley the opportunity to counter attack. However, they settled and following a decisive Stephen Todd break through the middle into the visitors 22 the ball was recycled and an inch perfect long pass was held by Mervyn Brown to score in the right hand corner with Ben McCaughey getting his second conversion. 14-7.

A number of high tackles were penalised and the referee Ross Whitfield issued a warning to Dungannon but the subsequent penalty awarded from 40 metres out was wide.

After a brief difference of opinion between some of the players mid-way through the half, the game resumed with a subdued period when neither side could achieve any dominance.

Just before the break another Dungannon driving maul gave them good field position on their opponent’s line. This concerted pressure forced a number of visitor penalties with a man going to the bin. Eventually, James Gamble got over for his second with what was a crucial try just at this point in the game and Ben McCaughey had an easy 2 point conversion. 21-7 at halftime.

The earlier rain continued in the second half and James McMahon put in a number of his characteristic rampaging runs though he had to be replaced by Matthew Maguire and later Mervyn Brown who was also forced off through injury.

But this rain rarely affected the handling of the visitors backline who showed a refreshing willingness to move the ball by hand and often at pace. While a few first up Dungannon tackles were missed the defence throughout the game was sound with David Leyburn putting in an excellent shift.

Dungannon gained quality possession particularly from the lineouts with Callum Johns and Man of the Match, Cameron Steenson dominating in area where Clogher Valley struggled at times. Probably the try of the game came when a midfield break and good interplay between Andrew McGregor and Kyle Gormley saw him touch down for at least a bonus point with another easy conversion for Ben. 28-7.

While Dungannon started to dominate, a 30 metre driving maul was penalised and the ensuing penalty allowed Clogher Valley to set up an attack but with a rare handling error the ball was spilled just short of their opponent’s line. Their comeback finally materialised in the 4th quarter when Neill Henderson narrowed the gap to 28-14 with a try converted by David Maxwell.

Clogher Valley showed the ability to break loose out of defence when a delicate chip over the advancing Dungannon players was hacked on, aided by a fortunate bounce to give them valuable territory near the home line. They got their reward with a Jamie Allen try after subjecting the Dungannon line to a period of pressure with David Maxwell converting. At 28-21 they were in bonus point territory.

Dungannon, who earlier had brought on their substitutes, had the last word with an injury time try by Daniel Mikolajczyk after another impressive driving maul from a lineout 20 metres out to consolidate the win at 33-21.

The was a good game of committed rugby well supported by both sides vociferous supporters. While Dungannon were worthy winners, Clogher Valley were unlucky to not get at least a losing point for their contribution to an entertaining match.