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

Edit: Bumping this back to the top of the website, please get in touch ASAP if you want to attend!

The annual club dinner is bit special this year as it is the 30th anniversary of the club.

So, if your a player, ex-player or just someone who has been associated with the club over the years then we want to see you there! The more the merrier.

The dinner will be a black tie/evening wear event and will involve a meal as well as entertainment and awards (we’ll have more details closer to the time)

Details are:
Saturday 24th April 2010
Baldwins Omega,
Psalter Lane,
Sheffield

Tickets cost £30 a head, and you should contact Colin Field on 07887 841096 if you are interested. If you want to come please let us know as soon as possible as it makes the organisation and arrangement of tables and such a lot easier.

See you there!

Josh

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

I have added some photos to the galley from the victory over Spartans, credit to Jason Chadwick at the Buxton Advertiser for the photos:

Steve Hudson breaking a tackle to set up Valley’s first score

Adam Cornes carrying the ball

Getting ready to lift in the lineout

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.

Date: 6th February 2010
Venue: Home
Result: Loss
Final Score: Hope Valley 8 – Parkonians 14

Tries:
Dave Ryder – 1

Penalties:
Ric Spencer – 1

Match Report

Valley went into this rearranged cup game with several players absent, but started brightly, attacking Parkonians back line through Charmasson, then running a tap penalty at the visitors. Valley continued to pressure without making it count, with unforced errors disrupting the flow of the game. More foraging runs from Cornes, McGuigan, Hudson and Johnson came up against stout defence from the Parkonians side.

The game was halted with an injury to Eyre at hooker, who was replaced by Woodall. Valley pressurised on Parksonians 22, only for the ball to come loose , and the visitors scored a long range try aided by poor valley tackling, with the conversion being kicked from out wide. 0-7. Hope again put pressure on their 22 from the restart through Hodgson, and won a penalty which was kicked by Spencer 3-7.
This only galvanized Parkonians, who attacked again with a passing backs move breaching Valleys defence to score another converted try 3-14. The home sides attacks couldn’t break through, despite valiant attacks from Hodgson and Hudson. Berry replaced Boundy just before half time, with the score remaining 3-14.

The second half saw more attacking from the Hope backs, but again they couldn’t break through. Parkonians continued to tackle and defend stoutly. Valley kicked a penalty just wide, and the valley pack began to get the better of the visitors. The game was all being played in the visitors half, but more running from Hudson, Ryder and Woodhouse still didn’t bear any fruits.

Valley constantly came up against a brick wall, despite the efforts of Warren and Hodgson.  Finally a scrum to Hope brought rewards, with Hodgson picking up and driving from 10 yards out, passing wide for Ryder to score on the wing, unconverted 8-14. Valley piled on the pressure knowing that a converted try would win the game in a nail biting finale. More attacking from the home forwards saw Hodgson dive for the line, with the referee awarding the try. In a commendable show of sportsmanship, this was then not given as skipper Hodgson told the official that he felt he was just short of the line.

Valley fought on but could not make it count, and went down to their first loss of the season, but hopefully will return to winning ways this Saturday at home to Broughton 2nd , 2.15pm kick off.