Hope Valley RUFC

Date: 6th February 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 8 – Parkonians 14

Tries:
Dave Ryder – 1

Penalties:
Ric Spencer – 1

Match Report

Valley went into this rearranged cup game with several players absent, but started brightly, attacking Parkonians back line through Charmasson, then running a tap penalty at the visitors. Valley continued to pressure without making it count, with unforced errors disrupting the flow of the game. More foraging runs from Cornes, McGuigan, Hudson and Johnson came up against stout defence from the Parkonians side.

The game was halted with an injury to Eyre at hooker, who was replaced by Woodall. Valley pressurised on Parksonians 22, only for the ball to come loose , and the visitors scored a long range try aided by poor valley tackling, with the conversion being kicked from out wide. 0-7. Hope again put pressure on their 22 from the restart through Hodgson, and won a penalty which was kicked by Spencer 3-7.
This only galvanized Parkonians, who attacked again with a passing backs move breaching Valleys defence to score another converted try 3-14. The home sides attacks couldn’t break through, despite valiant attacks from Hodgson and Hudson. Berry replaced Boundy just before half time, with the score remaining 3-14.

The second half saw more attacking from the Hope backs, but again they couldn’t break through. Parkonians continued to tackle and defend stoutly. Valley kicked a penalty just wide, and the valley pack began to get the better of the visitors. The game was all being played in the visitors half, but more running from Hudson, Ryder and Woodhouse still didn’t bear any fruits.

Valley constantly came up against a brick wall, despite the efforts of Warren and Hodgson.  Finally a scrum to Hope brought rewards, with Hodgson picking up and driving from 10 yards out, passing wide for Ryder to score on the wing, unconverted 8-14. Valley piled on the pressure knowing that a converted try would win the game in a nail biting finale. More attacking from the home forwards saw Hodgson dive for the line, with the referee awarding the try. In a commendable show of sportsmanship, this was then not given as skipper Hodgson told the official that he felt he was just short of the line.

Valley fought on but could not make it count, and went down to their first loss of the season, but hopefully will return to winning ways this Saturday at home to Broughton 2nd , 2.15pm kick off.

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