Knutsford 7, Marple 14

The song remains the same as Marple’s vastly improved U11 team won again with a comprehensive victory over Knutsford, despite the close scoreline.  With fantastic support from the Parents’ Traveling Army who provided their usual vocal support, the strength-in-depth of this team showed as the game turned into a forwards battle in muddy underfoot conditions. No quarter was offered to Knutsford as a good win was closed out despite missing regular starting players and Knutsford playing some of their U12 squad in the match. (more…)

3 games played.

Knutsford 5 Marple 15

Knutsford 0 Marple 0

Knutsford 10 Marple 5

A large Knutsford squad allowed 3 games to be played using their different players. The games were well fought by both sides, but on a try count-back (and away goal rules?) Marple can make a good claim for the overall honours on the day!

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In what was probably this teams finest result to date we had a great roller-coaster match against New Brighton. Marple commenced scoring with a penalty kick to give an early 3-0 lead. Showing reward for some great pressure on the New Brighton lines. Possession swung one way then another before a fine try from Tom gave Marple an 8-0 lead. New Brighton fought back with a breakaway try (converted) caused by missed tackles to leave the game balanced at 8-7. Both sides neutralised each other for a large period of the 2nd half before New Brighton broke down the wing to score another converted try taking the score to 8-14 with 5 minutes to play. This just spurred the Marple side on and a fine break by Tom ripped through their lines followed by some great support play from the rest of the team. Tom was brought down just short of the line, but Greg spotted the opportunity, picked up the ball and put in down on the line. Under much pressure Chris coolly slotted the conversion to take the score to 15-14. Special mention should go to the subs, due to the fine balance of the score in the 2nd half we were forced to keep the side as it was and so not make the changes that we would normally have.

Dukinfield 20 Marple 15

If Marple had shown the same commitment as they did in tackling the post-match sausages in the cosy Dukinfield clubhouse then the score could have been reversed.

All four of the home team’s tries were a direct result of poor tackling; varieties included high tackles, floppy doppy cuddles and the occasional “leave it to someone else” tackle.

Dukinfield deserved the victory on the day with a good display of team rugby.

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A note from Ian Sutton, our Child Protection Officer.

Please can this be reinforced just as a reminder to parents / carers of players from all age groups. Please see below, which is an extract from page 10 of Marple RUFC Handbook for this season that should have been provided to all registered players and appears on the Marple Minis and Youth Rugby Web Site. If you don’t have it then you can find a copy here.

“Rugby is a winter sport, so players will need to wear warm clothing with plenty of layers, perhaps tracksuit bottoms, hats and gloves when it is cold and wet.”

Please ensure that when the players arrive at the club they have sufficient appropriate clothing, so that they can train in all the various extremes of weather we seem experience on a  Marple Sunday morning.

Watch this space….. Further details of this exotic Social Event to follow soon.

A great turn-out at The Ring O’ Bells, to witness our appreciation to Pete the landlord, our New Sponsor, who received his own shirt, from the coaches of Marple U12s.

About 20 parents represented their boys, to toast Pete and to thank him for his support, we also discussed the Tour to Gloucestershire in April and reached agreement as to the Itinerary for the Tour.

A very good evening, with good beer flowing. Thanks Pete! Clicking on the pictures below will take you to larger versions of the same.

 A perfect day for playing Rugby, our new sponsor Pete, Landlord of The Ring O Bells, was there to watch ( but due to a colour clash, the boys wore red ) and the boys responded, with a real gritty, never say die attitude, which will hopefully, see us turn the corner, from the poor efforts, that we have shown of late. Even the sight of a GIANT second-rower, failed to put the boys off. straight from the kick-off, a knock-on, put us on the attack and credit to the pack ( even against said giant ) they held their own, a special mention goes to Zak Bray and James Hardy, two boys who are new to the game and both play in the Front-Row along with Edward Males, Haydn Barry  , Tom Harrop, Jan Loots, Joe Tadman, Anthony Roberts and Sam Bennett who make up the pack. A jinxing break by Nick Pritchard, took us from deep in our own half to within 15m of the line, when a slip halted a possible, try scoring opportunity. Sedgley eventually scored from a line-out, when their big 2nd rower, bundled over to make the converted score at h/t 0-7.

The second- half  continued to be as competative as the 1st, but Sedgley’s big pack set a maul up and drove over for the 2nd converted score of the game. Marple continued to battle on, with  Milo Tarimo, Alistair Hawksworth, Tom Williams and Scott Pavitt all  tackling anything that moved. Joe recieved a kick, Richard Cross turned his ankle and Scott also got a knock which put all 3 out of the game, but the changes, which in previous weeks, unsettled the boys, this time galvanised them. A late converted try from Sedgley ended the game 0-21.

Man of the Match Milo Tarimo, for his endless running and tackling, Moment of the week, Bill  Morris for his excellent take under pressure from 2 opposing forwards. Well done boys and lets keep this aggresive, competative streak going.

Marple 25 Sedgely Park 30

Cliche corner. The most dangerous time in a match is………………………………………no prizes for guessing……………………..when you’ve just scored.

 A few giddy moments after Marple scored and were busy feeling chuffed, saw the visitors re-start and tip-toe through the Marple tulips to quickly snuff out the advantage. (more…)

Marple 14, Sedgeley Park 21

A really good performance from Marple, led to a very even game with Sedgeley Park managing a last gasp try to take the win. Despite the loss, some real positives came from the game with some really powerful scrummaging and some fantastic tackling. A mention goes to Simon, who refereed his first ever competitive game and came through without too many bruises! (more…)