Hope Valley RUFC

Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 5 – Ashton-Under-Lyne 8
Tries:

• Adam Cornes – 1

Sale Sharks will be hosting a rugby camp at Hope Valley College!

The camp will take place from the 27th – 29th May 2008 over the Spring Bank Holidays.

It will include two days coaching at the College and a trip to Carrington to the Sale Sharks training facility.

For more details or to book places please visit www.salesharks.co.uk

Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 12 – Bakewell 38
Tries:

• Adam Cornes – 1
• Josh Berry – 1

Conversions:

• Jonny Elliott – 1

Oldham 31 – 0 Hope Valley
Saturday 1st March
Report By Robert Mortimore

The away side would like to thank everyone who turned up at the game your commitment is greatly appreciated as always.

On a cold blustery Saturday afternoon in Oldham Hope Valley arrived with a strong pack of players hoping to prove themselves a side to reckon with a hoping for a positive result.

Hope Valley started the game facing into a powerful wind and a churned up pitch making it difficult to play the ball against their opposition. Never the less with a strong forward charge straight from kick off Valley showed their hunger for a win by ensuring they were first to the ball. And with a strong scrum Valley took early advantage with an excellent clearance kick from Richard Spencer into the Oldham half.

The away side continued their impressive start with a rugged defensive line down their right wing closely followed by a vital low tackle on the oncoming forward surge from Oldham.

Josh Berry made an intuitive kick out from his own 22 with an ensuing Oldham pack close by showing quick thinking under pressure.

Unfortunately for Valley their hard work was in vane as the home side took the lead through a well worked try down the left side.

However Valley who had a majority of possession from the start were showing a battling mentality throughout and pushed forwards as a powerful force not giving in and with a great kick off surged onwards into Oldham’s 22.

Dave Warren who was putting in another fine performance at 23 put in another trademark powerful tackle on the oncoming Oldham fly half deep within the home side’s own half.

Oldham’s winger then made a strong run into Valley’s half but was halted by a resilient Valley defensive line through their captain and talisman Andrew Woodall with yet another awesome low hard tackle showing Valley’s determination to win back the ball.

Richard Spencer then made a blistering run into Oldham’s half with excellent supporting play from Scott Torrance who charged forwards collecting the ball well. Unfortunately for Valley he was stopped close to the try line by a stubborn home defence.

Josh Berry then made a brave tackle the home side’s winger denying them a run for the try line. Oldham then came close to another try with their powerful number 3 only to be denied once again by Valley’s excellent defensive hold.

Valley then enjoyed more possession and Adam Cornes stole the ball from the powerful Oldham pack on the left wing. Scott Torrance ensuring the ball was safe with a touch down by his own try line.

Valley were proving hard to break down in their final 3rd this has been a predominant part of Valley’s work rate.

Paul Wayne made some strong low tackling on the incoming Oldham surge for the try line, however they were unable to stop a powerful run and try by Oldham.

Tom Hodgson made a powerful surging run into Oldham half beating four players using his upper body strength to great effect and the ball was collected with quick decisive handling from Scott Torrance only to be stopped just short of the try line.

In the second half Valley with the wind on the side carried on their battling mentality and with a huge clearance by Tom Hodgson’s right foot gained ground into the Oldham 22. This was followed by a strong tackle on the home side winger from Adam Cornes and Tom Skelton.

Tom Harrison made an excellent plunge into Oldham’s ruck and stole the ball showing excellent handling showing his sides determination to win back the ball.

Valley surged down the right wing with Scott Torrance tearing through three tackles using his quick energetic footwork into the Oldham defence and supported left right and centre by the ensuing pack and almost creating a deserved try. Richard Spencer then stole the ball superbly from the under pressure Oldham fly half and with excellent support from Paul Wayne and Dave Warren both making joint crucial tackles on the defending pack ensured forward momentum.

Oldham however managed to clear the ball to Valley’s 22 after a supreme display of character from Valley and went over for another try.

The away side kept plugging away and Adam Cornes showing excellent defensive work hoofed the ball down field with his side racing for the ball. The home side rushed forwards once again but Valley kept their defensive line superbly by their try line and cleared to the Oldham 22.

Scott Torrance then showed excellent handling skills to grasp the ball from Richard Spencer’s clearance and towards the try line.

Josh Berry tackled Oldhamís powerful number 22 who had caused Valley problems throughout the game with a superb lunging tackle when a try looked impending.

Tom Hodgson then cleared the ball quickly and decisively with Oldham’s pack close by.

Valley continued with some stubborn defensive work and energetic running until the end.

Hope Valley rugby club training is every wednesday from 7.30 pm onwards. If you can make it to training then we can get a good squad together for future games.
I look forward to seeing fresh new faces playing for the squad.