Hope Valley RUFC

Date: 6th March 2010
Venue: Away
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley 82 – North Manchester 0

Tries:
Gary Allen – 2
Dave Ryder – 1
Matt Johnson – 1
Dave Warren – 2
Tom Hodgson – 3
Steve Hudson – 1
James McGuigan – 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 10

Match Report

Hope Valley, looking to put a disappointing performance against Oldham behind them, started positively in sunny conditions.

Strong running in the opening period from Moseley, Hodgson and Johnson gaining ground in the hosts half of the pitch. Spencer pressurised at the back of a North Manchester scrum, forcing Manchester to touch the ball down behind their line. A good run from Hudson at full back was stopped by a high tackle, giving Valley a lineout from the penalty. The ball was caught safely, with the forwards surging on, bringing a try for Allen, converted by Spencer to make it 0-7.

Valley had the bit between their teeth, and strong running from Ryder and Johnson with strong tackling by Moseley and Ancell keeping Manchester on the back foot. Hope won a scrum against the head, and the ball was fed from Warren to Tommy McGuigan and on to Ryder to score on the wing, again converted 0-14. More running from Hudson and McGuigan brought a try for Johnson on the opposite wing, again converted 0-21. From a lineout Johnson again ran at Manchester, this time passing inside for Warren to score, again converted 0-28. Valley now were up to full steam, and Hudson attacked again, passing to Hodgson who powered over to make it 0-35 at the break with the conversion.

From the restart Hodgson ran from his own 22, evading the opponents tackles to score a great individual try, converted by the on form Spencer to make it 0-42. Martin Spencer was next over the try line and was unluckily adjudged to be held up. Hodgson picked up from the back of the resulting scrum to score his hat trick, 0-49 with the conversion. Valley replaced wings Johnson and Ryder with Charmasson and James McGuigan, with Charmasson quick into the action, passing inside to set up Warren for his second try and make it 0-56.

The visitors tackling kept the home side at bay, and Winder came on to replace Wain in the pack. A good run on the wing by James McGuigan set up the valley pack again, with prop Allen crossing the line for his second to make it 0-63. From the restart Hudson at full back sliced through North Manchester from his 22 to score his 30th  try of the season, again converted by Spencer to make it 0-77. Further runs from the Hope back line saw Hudson turn provider for James McGuigan who eluded the hosts to score on his debut, with the reliable Spencer just missing out on a 100% kicking afternoon to make it 0-82, with the referee cutting the game short, and Hope Valley remaining at the top of the table.

Man of the Match: Matt Johnson
Mandy of the Match: John Eyre

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