Tries:
Tom Hodgson – 2
Rory Williams – 2
Lee Hutchinson – 1
Matt Johnson – 1
Steve Hudson – 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 3

Match Report:

This end of season game was to be the curtain raiser to Hope Valleys 30th Anniversary Dinner, and so an early kick off was agreed. Richard Spencer at scrum half showed early intent by stealing the ball from the back of a Stockport scrum. The Hope pack took some time to settle, with an experienced home front five taking advantage. Initial Valley attacks, with some good running from Hudson, came up against strong defensive tackling. Martin Spencer showed strength in stealing the ball from the home side and set up a Hope forward surge, only for Stockport to kick clear for a Valley lineout on the 22. Infringements here gave Richard Spencer a chance to kick at goal which went just wide.

Another attack from Hudson fed McGuigan who kicked for the corner. Martin Spencer stole the lineout, and the ball was fed out to Hodgson who powered over to score, unconverted 0-5. From the restart Valley ran at the hosts, with Ryder being forced into touch. Further pressure caused Stockport to conceded a penalty, with Ancell running through from a quick tap, feeding Hodgson who crossed for his second, 0-10 unconverted. Valley stepped up a gear, and a kick deep into Stockports half was followed up by Ryder and Ancell to force a penalty for not releasing. The ball was passed down the line for winger Johnson to score, unconverted 0-15. Match assessor Mr. Briggs felt unable to comment on Valley’s goal kicking thus far in the game. From the restart Stockport won a penalty, kicking 10 yards from Hope’s line. This was duly won, and several missed tackles saw the hosts get on the score sheet, unconverted, to make it 5-15 at the break.

Valley replaced Winder, Ryder, Hudson and Elliott with Gladstone, Williams, Berry, and Hutchinson. The second half started scrappily, with errors disrupting the flow of the game. Stockport won a penalty, and kicked close to Valley’s line, but Martin Spencer leapt yet again to Hope’s rescue. The ball was kicked long, and Warren and Johnson were up quickly to pressurise and turnover, sending the ball down the line for Williams to score on the wing, finally converted to make it 5-22.

Good work from second rows Gladstone and Hutchinson at the restart gained more ground. Max Horslen replaced Boundy at full back, and Valley were now harrying Stockport in all departments as the heat began to tell. Stockport were penalised repeatedly, and a quick tap penalty saw the ball worked out wide for Hutchinson to score, converted 5-29. Hudson was now back on for the injured McGuigan. Hope won a scrum, and the ball was passed out wide, with Horslen joining the line and braking through to feed Hudson for his 34th try of the season, 5-36 after the conversion. Stockport kept at it , kicking for a lineout ten yards out, but Valley spoiled and Josh Berry kicked clear. Steve Boundy replaced the excellent Martin Spencer, and the home side conceded a penalty 10 yards inside their own half. The ball was run through the backs firstly down the left then back right for Williams to get his second, unconverted, to finish the game 5-41.

Hope Valley awards for the season included Player of the Season to Steve Boundy, Player’s Player Dean Ancell, Leading Try Scorer Steve Hudson on 34, and Most Improved Player to Dave Ryder. Richard Spencer and Steve Richardson were made Life Members at a packed 30th Anniversary Dinner with record attendance. Tom Hodgson and Dave Warren remain in charge for next season in Division 4 following this seasons triumph as Miller Homes 5 East Champions, played 20, won 19, points for 1082, points against 79, plus 1003 points for the season.

Tries
Matt Johnson – 2
Andy Woodall – 1
Richard Mosley – 2
Gary Allen – 2
Mike Shires – 1
James McGuigan – 1
Steve Hudson – 1
Tom Hodgson – 1
Tommy McGuigan – 1

Conversions
Ric Spencer – 7

Drop Goals
Tommy McGuigan – 1

Match Report

Hope Valley had plenty of players for this home match, despite missing several who were at the England game. The somewhat makeshift pack started brightly, driving forward into the Dukinfield half, and then winning the resulting lineout. Woodhouse and Moseley in the backs made further ground, and a great handling move through both backs and forwards saw second row Hutchinson forced into touch just short of the line. Further Valley pressure saw the ball pass out left through the backs and then switched to the right where Johnson on the wing opened the scoring, unconverted, to make it 5-0.

Dukinfield responded from the restart, kicking into Valley territory for a lineout ten yards out. The home pack took the ball cleanly allowing Spencer to kick clear to halfway, with Dukinfield being awarded a scrum. Hope won turnover ball, and J McGuigan at back row broke clear, with support from Hudson and Woodhouse close to the visitors line, winning a scrum. The momentum however was broken with a penalty to Dukinfield, with them kicking to touch. Valley were dominant in the lineouts, poaching Dukinfields throw ins and driving forward. From one of these drives the ball was passed from Moseley to Shires and out to hooker Woodall who powered over, with the conversion again going wide to make it 10-0.

From the restart J McGuigan kicked back into the opponents half, forcing a lineout on the 22. Warren playing in the back row stole the ball and set up Moseley for a well deserved try under the posts which Spencer converted to make it 17-0. Dukinfield again kicked for touch from the restart, but the lineout was won by Valley, with good spoiling work from Shires and Allen, and the ball was driven on by skipper Hodgson at number 8, and setting up Moseley for his second try, again converted to make it 24-0. The valley pack now had the bit between its teeth, and drove at Dukinfield relentlessly. This was rewarded by a try to prop Allen, unconverted to make it 29-0. It was next the turn of the valley backs to attack, with Warren assisting, and Shires on the wing getting on the score sheet, converted by Spencer to make it 36-0. Yet more Hope pressure failed to increase the score at half time.

The rain continued to persist in the second half, but this didn’t dampen Valleys spirits, and wing Johnson scored his second of the day out wide almost from the restart, 41-0. Valley made some changes, with Winder replacing Boundy at second row, and Charmasson and Williams coming on for Moseley and Johnson. Dukinfields restart found its way to J McGuigan who broke through the visitors line and eluded their full back to score a good individual try, converted by Spencer 48-0. He was then replaced by Berry. Dukinfiled then put pressure on in Valleys half, but the defence remained stout. The home side won a scrum on their own 22, and attacked, with Hudson jinking his way through to score his thirty second try of the season, converted to make it 55-0.

The visitors attacked in the home sides half, and scored a drop goal to get them on the score sheet, 55-3. Valley continued to pressurise in Dukinfields half, and it was a case of “anything you can do..” as T McGuigan kicked a drop goal to make it 58-3. Valley then brought on Dolph La Grange for his debut, replacing Woodhouse. A great attacking run then followed, with Williams Shires and Hudson all involved before setting up Hodgson to score a converted try 65-3. Hodgson later knocked on over the line to win the mandy of the match award.

Gavin How then replaced Hudson for his first ever game. The pack again got involved, with a strong drive down the middle from Winder, and the resulting rolling maul was unstoppable, with Allen scoring his second try, converted by man of the match Ric Spencer to make it 72-3. The final phase of the game saw a good run from Charmasson at full back, passing to Hutchinson who in turn sent in T McGuigan for the try, giving a final score of 77-3. Hope Valley remain on course for promotion at the top of the Miller Homes 5 East table, having outscored every team in the 14 Miller Homes leagues this season, and conceding the least points.

Man of the Match: Ric Spencer
Mandy of the Match: Tom Hodgson

Tries:
Dave Ryder – 3
Dave Warren – 2
Dean Ancell – 2
Steve Hudson 1
Andy Woodall – 1
Joris Gladstone – 1
Martin Spencer – 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 7

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

Tries:
Dean Ancell – 1
Steve Hudson – 2
Gary Allen – 1
Dave Ryder – 2
Adam R – 1
John Eyre – 1
Tom Hodgson – 2
Steve Boundy – 1
Rory Williams – 1
Tommy McGuigan – 1

Conversions:
Dave Warren – 4
Tommy McGuigan – 4

Match Report

The game was moved to Hope Valley College due to a frozen pitch at Hollowford, and Valley started brightly. A good initial attack from Woodhouse, deputising at scrum half for the injured Spencer, threatened the Burnage defence. Another good run from Johnson kept Valley camped in the visitors 22. From a Valley scrum Will Wain drove towards the line, and from the resulting rolling maul Ancell crossed for the first score which was unconverted 5-0. Burnage pressured from the restart, but Woodhouse kicked clear, with the chasing Valley backs winning the ball, and a good run from McGuigan set up Hudson to score, with Warren kicking the conversion 12-0. Valley soaked up Burnage attacks and continued to run at the visitors with attacks from Wain, Ryder and Ancell being stopped by handling errors.Burnage won a penalty but kicked wide, and Valley attacked again with a superb handling move, the ball being passed from McGuigan to Ryder on the wing, and back inside to Martin Spencer, Wain and finally to prop Allen who scored, converted by Warren, to make it 19-0.

Valley were surging at Burnage at every opportunity, with McGuigan and Hudson in the thick of it, and the pressure told with a try to Ryder out wide making it 24-0. Another good move by the backs set up Adam for a try under the posts, and another conversion to Warren 31-0. Further pressure on the Burnage 22 saw the ball pass to Ryder who handed off the attempted tackle to score his second try out wide making it 36-0. Valley continued to play some great attacking rugby but failed to increase the lead more before the half time whistle.

Valley made some changes after the break, with Charmasson, Woodall, Williams and Gladstone taking the field. This didn’t interrupt the flow of the game, and hooker Eyre capitalised to score, with Warren converting to make it 43-0. Valleys pressure was relentless and Boundy hacked the ball through from some way out to gather and score, with McGuigan  this time converting to make the half century 50-0. Valley backs again made inroads into Burnage territory, with Warren and Hudson dominant.  Valley won a scrum in the Burnage 22 and skipper Hodgson at number eight powered over from the back, unconverted,with the score now 55-0.

Continued domination, both in the scrum and the loose, and Williams, on at scrum half, poached the ball from the back of a Burnage scrum on the 22 and managed to evade the defence and score a great solo try which was unconverted 60-0. Valley now brought on Winder and Hutchinson, and Valley continued attacking in waves. Woodhouse ran at the Burnage line and managed to do a forward roll in the process, obviously a move from the training ground. After an excellent performance McGuigan broke through to get his name on the try sheet under the posts and kicking his own conversion. 67-0. Wing Johnson, now playing for the visitors , showed great tenacity in tackling the 6’6 second row Winder, proving the point that if you tackle low you can bring anyone down. Another strong run from Hodgson brought his second try, converted by McGuigan 74-0. Hudson, who had run at Burnage all afternoon, also broke through to score under the posts for his second, converted by McGuigan to finish an exciting game 81-0.

Burnage deserve great credit for competing throughout in an excellent match. Valley remain unbeaten at the top of Division 5 East.

Gary Allen – 3 tries
Dean Ancell – 18 tries
Kasey Blackwell – 1 try
Steve Boundy – 4 tries
Luc Charmasson – 2 tries
Jonny Elliott – 1 try
John Eyre – 3 tries
Joris Gladstone – 1 try
Tom Hodgson – 23 tries
Steve Hudson – 29 tries
Lee Hutchinson – 3 tries
Matt Johnson – 2 tries
Richard Mosley – 2 tries
Paul Nicholls – 6 tries
Dave Ryder – 9 tries
Martin Spencer – 5 tries
Rick Spencer – 6 tries, 97 conversions, 2 penalty
Will Wain – 2 tries
Dave Warren – 11 tries , 3 conversions
Rory Williams – 5 tries
Mike Woodhouse – 2 tries
Tommy McGuigan – 3 tries

The fixture will be played on the 6th of February 2010

Tries:
Dave Warren x 2
Rory Williams x 2
Martin Spencer x 1
Ric Spencer x 1
Steve Hudson x 1
Dave Ryder x 1
Tom Hodgson x 1
Tommy McGuigan x 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer x 8

Match Report:
Hope Valley, still unbeaten at the top of the 5 East table , played Ashton for the second time this season. They started downhill for the first half, and immediately put pressure on the visitors.. This was rewarded by an early try to Warren, chipping over and gathering the ball to score. 5-0. In reasonable conditions the Valley back line harassed Ashton, with good runs from Hudson and Warren.

Further pressure saw Martin Spencer power through to score under the posts, with Ric Spencer getting the conversion 12-0. The Valley backs continued to use the slope to their advantage, running at Ashton and chasing kicks deep into Ashton’s territory. This culminated with a Valley scrum close to the Ashton line, with the ball being passed down the line for R Spencer to score out wide, converting his own try to make it 19-0. A clever kick from Cornes put more pressure on the visitors, and Hodgson drove through to score a converted try under the posts to make it 26-0. The game was being played at a frenetic pace, with Valley surging on , with both Wain and Johnson prevalent. A quickly taken tap penalty was passed through the three quarters and out to Ryder who scored near the touchline to make it 31-0 at half time.

Ashton pressurised from the restart, now playing with the slope, but danger was averted by a good clearance from McGuigan, who had come on as a replacement. This allowed Valley to get into their opponents 22, following a good run by Charmasson. Yet more good handling from the Valley backs allowed another replacement Williams to score on the wing, converted by Spencer to make it 38-0. Further strong drives came from Woodall, Hodgson and Charmasson but they just failed to breach the try line.

A scrum in their 22 saw the ball again passed down the line for Hudson to score, again converted by Spencer to make it 45-0. A good run down the right hand side by McGuigan eluded the Ashton players, and let in Warren for his second try, making it 52-0 after the conversion. The Valley pack now took control, with Williams getting his second try off the bak off a lineout, again converted 59-0. From the restart more excellent passing saw a try to McGuigan to finish the game off, making it 66-0 at the finish.

Valley are now still at the top of the league, scoring 707 points and conceding only 47, now 13 games unbeaten.