Hope Valley RUFC

Date: 27th March 2010
Venue: Away
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley  85 – Trafford MV 5

Tries:
Rory Williams – 2
Tommy McGuigan – 3
Mike Shires – 1
Steve Hudson – 1
Matt Johnson – 1
Dean Ancell – 2
Luc Charmasson – 1
James McGuigan – 2

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 10

Match Report:

Valley travelled to higher league opposition for this pool fixture, and for the first ten minutes were held back by the experienced Trafford pack, but the deadlock was broken by Williams standing in at hooker, who darted over for the opener, converted by R Spencer to make it 0-7. This was quickly followed by tries to T McGuigan, Shires and Hudson, all converted by Spencer to make it 0-28 less than half way into the half. The Hope back line of Ryder, Spencer and Shires all made ground in Trafford territory, with some excellent passing and support play, and were joined by Ancell for some excellent phases of rugby. The ball fell to T McGuigan who jinked through the home sides defensive line to score again, with yet another conversion from Spencer to make it 0-35.

The restart brought a Trafford lineout, but the ball fell to Ancell for another run, with the ball being held up for a scrum to the home side. Valley pressurised again, and Johnson on the wing ran clear to score, again converted to make it 0-42. From the kick off Ancell caught the ball and hit the Trafford line at pace, breaking through to score a fine solo effort over three quarters of the pitch, 0-49 with the conversion. The game was then halted with an injury to Blackwell who was replaced by Charmasson for his front row debut, with scrums now being uncontested just before the half time whistle.

At half time Warren made way for J McGuigan, as Valley kept up the pressure, with a clean take in the lineout allowing a big kick to force a lineout 10 yards from Traffords try line. Valley won a penalty but the move was halted by a knock on and scrum to the hosts, but Spencer again spoiled at the back of the scrum and Johnson broke to set up Charmasson to score under the posts, with Spencer keeping up his impressive kicking tally 0-56. A great rolling maul from the restart was halted by Trafford infringing, and Valley took the quick tap but were impeded, and at the second time of asking Ancell broke through strongly for his second, converted to make it 0-63. The following move saw Hope knock on, and Trafford scrummaged strongly, and won a penalty. From the resulting lineout five yards out, they pressurised the Valley defenders and finally got on the score sheet with a try out wide left 5-63.

Winder came on to replace Gladstone, and Valley gained ground from a penalty with a good run by J McGuigan followed by a clever kick to force Trafford into conceding a line ten yards out. Johnson was denied another try, knocking the ball on just short of the line. More Valley attacking running saw J McGuigan jink through for a try, this time unconverted 5-68. Yet another Valley break from the restart saw T McGuigan run through the home defence and delicately chip over to set up his brother for his second, this time converted 5-75. The backs and forwards combined from the restart and a lovely handling move saw Williams now on the wing, score his second out wide 5-80. The Hope pack drove on impressively from the restart, with the ball just being held up over the Trafford line, but winning the put in at the scrum. The ball was passed down the Valley back line, and a clever side step allowed T McGuigan to get a richly deserved hat trick and round off an impressive performance from Hope Valley.

Man of the Match: Martin Spencer
Mandy of the Match: Matt Johnson, Steve Boundy

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