Hope Valley RUFC

Date: Saturday 24th April 2010
Venue: Away
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley 41 – Stockport 5

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.

Date: Saturday 10th April 2010
Venue: Away
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley  14 – Buxton 20

Tries:
Dave Warren – 1
John Eyre – 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 2

Match Report:

Following Mondays win over Aldwinians, Valley travelled to Buxton for a friendly fixture with the sun beating down. Due to injuries and unavailability the side was made up of only fifteen, including six front row players. Despite the heat, the game started at a frenetic pace, with Buxton’s pack putting early pressure on the visitors both in the lineout in the scrum. Good work from Martin Spencer, secured the ball for Hope, but the initial phases of the game failed to provide flowing rugby. Valley won a scrum on their own 22, and Ric Spencer kicked into the heart of Buxton territory, with hooker turned winger Eyre gathering the ball to feed fly half Warren who raced through to score under the posts, converted by R Spencer 0-7.

Valley again kicked into Buxton territory, with good chasing from Johnson on the wing, but the ball was cleared for a Buxton line. This wasn’t straight, giving Hope a scrum, and scrappy play and handling errors meant that the forwards from both sides were hard at work in the set pieces. Following a high tackle Valley won a penalty, with Spencer kicking for the line. Buxton cleared the danger, giving a lineout to the visitors, who were then awarded a penalty, but the kick went wide. Scrappy play continued, despite good work from M Spencer, and Buxton got on the score sheet, kicking a penalty 3-7. From the restart Valley made ground through Warren and Hudson, with support from Ancell, Eyre and Hodgson, but a penalty was conceded and Buxton cleared to the halfway. Hodgson broke strongly from the back of the scrum, but again stoppages halted the flow of the game. R Spencer and a Buxton flanker were yellow carded following a Buxton chip through, making it 14 a side for the remainder of the half. Pressure from Williams and Hudson failed to produce any dividends before half time 3-7.

Buxton, with plenty of replacements to chose from, replaced their whole pack at half time. Valley won an early penalty, opting for a lineout 10 yards out, with a good drive from Ancell supported by Hudson, but again handling errors allowed Buxton to attack from a scrum. Their progress was halted by good tackling from Eyre. Buxton knocked on, but the scrum was taken against the head, and the hosts passed the ball down the left and right before breaching Hope’s defence, converted, to make it 10-7. Valley attacked close to Buxtons line, and Hudson caught the clearance kick to make good ground, and Buxton handled in the ruck to give the visitors a penalty. Spencer took a quick tap, and chipped through for Ancell to gather and pass wide to Eyre who scored, converted by Spencer 10-14.

Buxton attacked back, only to be stopped by strong tackling from Hodgson, but the ball was recycled wide and Buxton scored their second try, unconverted 15-14. Buxton’s fresh legs began to show, both in the pack and in the back line, and an attack from a home scrum again resulted in a try out wide to the backs, unconverted 20-14. Buxton attacked again, but knocked on to give Valley the scrum. Spencer at scrum half broke from the back, but was halted by foul play from a Buxton player who received a yellow card for his efforts. Valley ran at Buxton through Ancell, gaining ground. Progress was halted by a Buxton penalty, closely followed by a Valley penalty, and pressure from Warren and Johnson, again chipping through. Buxton again handled in the ruck, and Valley counter attacked, but could not overturn the deficit before the final whistle. 20-14. Thus ended a hard-fought game with lots of effort between two local sides.

Date: Monday 5th April 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley  57 – Aldwinians 3

Tries:
Tommy McGuigan – 2
James McGuigan – 3
Tom Hodgson – 1
Luc Charmasson – 1
Dean Ancell – 1
Dave Warren – 1

Conversions:
Ric Spencer – 6

Match Report:

Hope Valley pressurised from the kick off in this top of the table clash, and took an early scrum against the head. The ball was passed to Ancell who drove at the visitors line, passing inside to Tommy McGuigan who slipped through to score, converted by Ric Spencer 7-0. From the restart the home side won a scrum, with Warren kicking clear, with Hudson chasing.

Aldwinians kicked back, winning a scrum after a Valley knock on. The visitors errors allowed Hope to clear again, but they were awarded a penalty, the kick going just wide. From the restart the home pack again were dominant, and ran at Aldwinians, with Warren again kicking tactically and good running from Hudson and Williams. The visitors conceded a penalty but the kick went wide. Valley continued to press in the scrum and in the loose, forcing Aldwinians to concede penalties in dangerous positions. Martin Spencer took a quick tap penalty, passing to T McGuigan who again jinked through the defence to score unconverted 12-0. From the restart Aldwinians pressurised on the Valley 22, and won a penalty which they kicked to make it 12-3. Another penalty to Hope again gave the home side the chance to run at the visitors, but they couldn’t capitalise further before the half time whistle.

The Aldwinians pack started strongly, gaining ground with a rolling maul, but Valley halted this and took the resulting scrum against the head, then winning a penalty. Another quick tap and run by the backs saw James McGuigan slice through the visitors defence to score, converted, to make it 19-3. Aldwinians hit back, but robust tackling from Warren stopped them in their tracks. Again the home three quarters attacked, with good handling from Shires, J McGuigan, Boundy and Spencer. Another penalty was conceded, and Ancell broke through to score, unconverted 24-3.

Aldwinians again pressurised, but the ball was turned over and Woodhouse, on as a replacement, made a good break to set up J McGuigan for his second try, converted 31-3. Valley were now on the front foot, driving through via Hutchinson, with fly half Warren then chipping over the defence to gather and score a well deserved try, converted 38-3. Again the home back line surged at Aldwinians, with Shires breaking through to set up J McGuigan for his hat trick, converted 45-3. Next the Valley pack got in on the act, driving forward through Boundy, with the backs then supporting them. A further run by Moseley out wide then set up Charmasson to score 50-3. Skipper Hodgson rounded the scoring off with one of his trademark bulldozing runs, with Ric Spencer kicking his sixth conversion to end the game 57-3.

Hope Valley confirmed their place as Champions of Milller Homes League 5 East on 73 points, scoring 1041 points for, and only conceding 74.

Man of the Match: Dave Warren and Richard Mosley

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

Date: 20th March 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley 77 – Dukinfield 3

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

Date: 13th March 2010
Venue: Away
Result: Win
Final Score: Hope Valley 74 – Bury 3

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

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

Date: 20th February 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 5 – Oldham 18

Tries:
Mike Shires – 1

Result: Hope Valley 17 – Buxton 7

Match Report:

Hope Valley started strongly, despite the delayed start, with Somerton making a strong run at the visitors. Valley pressure force
d the visitors to concede a penalty with captain Grattan kicking strongly for the line. A clean take saw the ball passed out to the backs, who mounted a strong attack. Buxton gained possession but the Hope tacklers stood up to the test.

The game was being played at a frenetic pace, with strong running and defending from both sides. Valley won a scrum, and a clever kick saw their backs up on Buxton, but the tackling was adjudged to be too high. From yet another Hope penalty Steve Rawson stepped inside the tackler and made excellent ground. The pressure was beginning to tell on Buxton, and they conceded more ground for talking back to the referee. Despite their efforts, Valley were unable to break the deadlock at half time. 0-0.After the break Hope kept up the pressure with a strong run from Hein La Grange just being forced into touch. Valley stole the ball at the resulting lineout, and a great passing move through the backs allowed Joe Dickinson to score, with Ben Somerton adding the conversion, 7-0.

Valley’s confidence continued to grow, and they surged at Buxton again, and another strong backs move saw Dickinson getting his second try out wide to make it 12-0. With their heads up the home side continued attacking, this time through Rawson, and Buxton were forced into making the errors. Excellent work from the Hope pack stopped Buxton gaining any ground, and from a Valley scrum Somerton at number eight drove over powerfully to score a try, but alas he couldn’t convert his own effort 17-0.

Valley continued to pressurise right until the end, but the ball fell loose and Buxton scored a breakaway try in the final minutes, giving a final score of 17-7. The game was played in an excellent spirit and was hard fought by both sides.

Date: 6th February 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Win (Walkover)

Unfortunately, Broughton were not able to make the game so Hope Valley win with a walkover result.

Some of the lads played for Buxton 2nd XV instead, with Dean Ancell scoring 2 tried and Martin Spencer scoring 1.