Malahide, who have rebuilt their side since last season, made a lively start, with their backline moving the ball accurately and at pace.

However, the Valley gradually gained control through their pack and, despite an obvious disadvantage in height and weight, went on to dominate the set pieces, particularly at scrum time.

Approaching the ten-minute mark, a scrum penalty gave David Maxwell the opportunity to put his side into the opposition 22.

A well-executed lineout maul saw Ryan Stewart cross for the opening try, the first of two he would score during the afternoon.

The conversion was missed.

Five minutes later, the powerful number eight broke from a ruck and raced over for his second try of the game, with Maxwell adding the conversion.

With 15 minutes played, the Valley were already 12 points ahead, but it was another 15 minutes before they added to their tally.

A series of scrum penalties deep in Malahide territory provided the platform, before a well-timed wraparound move by out-half Paul Armstrong created space out wide for Taine Haire to squeeze in at the corner.

The difficult conversion drifted narrowly wide.

Winger Philip Wilson almost added another following an excellent run, but the Malahide defence managed to stop him just short of the line.

With five minutes remaining in the half, Malahide secured good field position and, following a well-taken lineout and driving maul, were stopped just short of the try line.

A strong carry around the side eventually saw the visitors cross for their first try, although the conversion was missed.

The Valley responded almost immediately.

A series of good attacking phases brought them close to the visitors' line before David Stinson powered over, despite several defenders hanging on, to secure the bonus-point try.

Maxwell added the extras to give the home side a 26-5 advantage at the break.

It did not take long for Clogher to extend their lead after the restart.

Another scrum infringement by Malahide allowed Maxwell to push the Valley into the visitors' 22.

A well-taken lineout developed into a powerful driving maul, involving both forwards and backs, which carried the home side to the line before Joel Busby touched down for their fifth try.

Maxwell again converted.

Malahide continued to battle and were rewarded for a sustained spell of pressure with an unconverted try.

However, the Valley soon responded.

A front-of-the-lineout move worked to perfection, allowing hooker Kyle Cobane to cross for the home side's sixth and final try.

Maxwell added an excellent conversion from a difficult position.

Malahide enjoyed their best spell during the closing ten minutes and spent a period in good field position.

The Valley attempted to counter from deep, but a loose ball was hacked forward by the visitors.

After bouncing around and causing confusion, it fell kindly for a Malahide player to gather and dive over for their third try, which also went unconverted.

The visitors needed one more score to secure a bonus point and pushed hard in the closing stages.

However, the Valley defence stood firm, producing some determined tackling to deny them.

It was a convincing afternoon's work for Clogher, who collected five league points, while Malahide returned to north Dublin empty-handed.

David Stinson was named man of the match.

Elsewhere, the second XV suffered a narrow defeat to Ballymena in the second XV League, while the ladies also lost narrowly away to Malone.

In the youth section, the under-18s and under-16s were defeated away to City of Derry, while the under-14s recorded a victory at the same venue.

Next weekend, the first XV travel to Navan, while the second XV host Instonians.

The under-16s and under-14s are also at home on Saturday against Finn Valley.

The ladies round off the weekend's fixtures when they host Virginia on Sunday at 2pm.

Clogher Valley 38 Malahide 15