Hope Valley RUFC

Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 18 – Dukinfield 38
Tries:

• Rick Spencer – 2

Conversions:

• Rick Spencer – 1

Penalties:

• Rick Spencer – 1

Drop Goals:

• Rick Spencer – 1

Match Report
Report by Robert Mortimore

The away side would firstly like to thank Dukinfield for lending out two of their players to the traveling pack.

Saturday’s clash between Dukinfield and Hope Valley was another vital fixture in Valley’s season after a superb battling performance against local rivals Bakewell two weeks before in the Derbyshire Presidents Cup.

This was a chance for Valley to get themselves back on track in the league and go for a win and a strong team performance and with some fresh faces in the starting line up.

Valley started the game with an excellent take on the ball from Tom Hodgson right from kick off, proceeding with a darting run through the home side’s defensive line and down the right wing.

Hope Valley were causing havoc deep within Dukinfield’s half.

The home side’s number 19 was then well tackled by the Valley forwards. Nicolas Hoyle then made a superb interception in the ruck shortly followed by another good tackle from Tom Hodgson and then by Josh Berry.

Richard Spencer converted a well earned penalty for Valley giving them a well deserved lead.

The home side’s number 17 was proving to be a handful down the wing with some strong running and quick passing.

Matt Shaw then stole the ball in Dukinfield’s scrum and shortly after Nicolas Hoyle got a hand to the ball in Dukinfield’s lineout making a vital interception.

Valley’s number 2 was getting to the loose balls extremely well and committing himself to the action with excellent support. Nicolas Hoyle made a great tackle on the number 17 who had been a handful racing down both wings.

Unfortunately the home side went ahead with a try but failed to convert. Josh Berry made a superb tackle on the incoming forward’s he was having a great game.

The home side then went over for another try but Valley kept their heads high knowing that they were still fully in the game.

There were some powerful performances coming from all areas of the Valley line-up including two new faces in the side playing in the back row. Andy Woodall the captain was making yet more crunching trademark tackles left right and centre and Jonny Elliot was proving to be a handful in the centre of the field.

Richard Spencer then noticed a lapse in concentration from the home side’s defence and took full advantage with a drop goal to put Valley back into the game.

In the second half Valley stepped up a gear and Ben Oldfield took the ball well with the home side’s closing in. He was having another superb game with some excellent handling in tight areas.

Nicolas Hoyle again intercepted the ball well and Josh Berry made another vital tackle. Richard Spencer cleared the ball well with a Dukinfield try immanent.

Hope Valley were defiant and determined not to give up without a fight and showed superb team spirit.

Josh Berry made good ground into the oppositions 22 and Valley went over for a try and converted. Valley were defending heroically bringing down the home side’s giant of a captain thanks to strong tackling from all the team especially in the front row.

Tom Hodgson went in with yet more crucial tackles towards the end and with a superb interception from their own 22 Valley noticed a gap in Dukinfield’s line and they raced away with Richard Spencer well supported by his team mates and went over for a brilliant try. That showed what Valley are capable of when on top of their game.

The final whistle was closing in but Valley were still hanging on and showed true grit and determination right until the very end

Feed on comments to this Post