Marple 20 Bolton 17

A first ever fixture with Bolton, Marple experimented with several development players making starts and a few positional changes as well. The newer lads did very well and played a big part in the victory.

It was a close contest with Marple just edging it – a final try with 5 minutes to go, and once again they were able to successfully close  the game out.

Two first half break-away tries from George, collecting the ball at centre and charging through the defence. A second half try from Lawro ripping the ball at a maul and scooting away on the blind into the corner. The fourth Marple score came from a tap penalty on the 22 where Luke took the ball at pace and drove the defence back single handedly with a spin at the line to touch the ball down. Brawn and brains.

Tries: George 2, Lawro & Luke.

MOTM – George.

A good contest against an improving Congleton.

We had to work hard today against Congleton, to registar an impressive win. Last week was a battle and today was no pushover. Congleton made us work throughout the whole game. The first 10 minutes both teams probed to find weaknesses, then 1st strike to Marple Alistair drove over 5 – 0 to start the scoring, then a great run from Conor to score, con by Nick 12 – 0. Then Danny two tries, followed by a great run from Sam put us up 27 – 0 at half time.
Changes at h/t led to a new pack and a couple of changes in the backs, but tries from Haydn and Alistair put us up 37 – 0. Jake then got moving and got his first, con by Nick 44 – 0, before the try of the game. Alistair won the lineout and quick ball through the half backs put Jake into score in the corner, Nick followed it up with a great kick from out wide 51 – 0. Then player of the week Tom went on a great run to score the final try 56 – 0.

Good game, coupled with a good performance in game that had to be fought at to win.

Squad,
Conor, Jack, Danny, Sam, James Y, Nick, Richard, Alistair, Rob S, Tom W, Jamie, Joel, Nathan, Cameron, Tom H, Adam, Ryan, Rob F, Eddie & Haydn.

Scorers,
Tries Alistair 2, Danny 2, Jake 2, Conor, Sam, Haydn, Tom H.
Cons Nick 3

Player of the Week Tom H.
Tackle of the Week Haydn.
Moment of the Week Jake’s 2nd try.

A fantastic start to the new year with a strong game against Wilmslow at the beginning of January.  A good turn out for a very cold day and all the players did Marple proud.   Most players seem to have improved tremendously over the Christmas holidays , to name some in particular Isaac, Joseph , Charlie   and  Nathaniel.

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An eventful game which the marple development team played there toughest opponents to date. In a tough first half they competed well against more experieneced opposition and went into the break 10 – 0 down. With the wind with Wirral in the second half they added two more converted tries to win 24 – 0.

Team,

Nathan, Tom W, Zak, Rob F, James G, Jake, Eddie, Jamie, Richard, Nick, Joe, Alistair, Jack, Haydn, James Y, Conor, Cameron

A good game played in difficult conditions. The wind blew directly down the pitch, which made life hard for the team facing the wind. Both teams competed stoutly in the conditions and with the wind behind them it wasn’t long before Marple scored with a scrum in Wirrals 22 Alistair drove over, before a peach of a kick from Nick put us 0 – 7 up. To Wirrals credit a team that have lost once all season came back and pressurised the marple line , but stout defense kept them out. 5 mins from half time Wirral worked the ball wide and scored in the corner, with a difficult kick the con was missed. H/t 5 – 7 to Marple.

The second half started with the wind behind Wirral, but the game remained tight with Wirral pressing and Marple defending. Under pressure a great break from Haydn took us from under the post to the half way line. But from the resulting lineout Wirral scored with 2 ins left of the game, con missed in these difficult conditions. marple tried to get back into a winning position but time ran out. An entertaining game that ended 10 – 7 to Wirral.

Try, Alistair.
Con Nick.

Team ,
Conor, Jack, Danny, Sam, James, Nick, Richard, Alistair, Jordan, Rob S, Tom W, Joel, Jacob, Cameron, Tom H, Haydn, Joe,Ryan, Nathan.

All tomorrows games against Glossop are cancelled due to frozen pitches at Marple and also Glossop.

Marple 27 Chester 12

A great start to the new year! A well fought match that kept the onlookers entertained despite the sticky conditions, the lads deservedly took the win from the strong opposition.

Keeping with tradition however, it was Chester who opened the scoring despite decent Marple possession. A kick to touch on the full followed by a penalty resulted in an attacking scrum to the visitors on the 22. A nice switch to blindside put their man away into the corner.

Marple responded well and a searing break from Matty saw Lawro pick up and drive to the line with Luke finishing off well to score. Con 7-5.

Marple extended their lead shortly from the restart with a lovely show-and-go from Bryn to break the defence and sprint from the half-way to score.

Another try for the hosts quickly followed: a blindside break around the scrum and a nice pop-up to Charles who showed a good turn of pace and stamina to run the ball in from the 10 metre line.

The visitors fought back however and took advantage of a lack of concentration from Marple to nick one back just before half time. HT17-12. A big half for the forwards especially Lawro, Luke and Nathan.

The second half was a midfield mud battle enlightened towards the end with a smashing drive-over try for Luke, quickly followed by a passing move along the backs for the returning Ben Ma to exploit and run into the left corner.

It was a close game until the final 5 minutes but Marple showed excellent determination to see the game out successfully.

Good work from Josh at the coal face and an encouraging charging  cameo from Zeclan in the second half. Both wings in Ben Mo and Jack held up well to see off the Chester attacks down the flanks. The scrum and lineout worked well for Marple with a few nicked against the head.

MOTM – Luke. A big game throughout and took his chances superbly.

Effort – Matt Stone. Well done Matt.

Parents – Charles. Has clearly spent Xmas sprint training. Fine to Nev for missing it.

Tries: Luke 2, Bryn, Charles, Ben Ma. Cons: Bryn 1

Our 1st ever development game which enabled the whole squad to get a serious run out, thanks to Chester.
A complete change to out forwards and lads playing out of place in the backs gave us an opportunity to try new positions for the lads and they stepped up to the task. Great efforts in the 1st half had Marple on the front foot but good defence kept us out. H – t 0 – 0.
The second started with Marple showing a great effort to keep the ball alive and press down field, but a tight game ended 0 – 0.
Squad,
Jack, Haydn, Cameron, Tom H, Richard, Rob S, Joe, Jamie, Sam, Eddie, James G, Rob F, Zak, Tom W, Adam.

Our first ever visit from Chester and an entertaining match. It would be fair to say that chester’s forward had the upper hand in the 1st half, but great defence and a slippery ball, stopped Chester from scoring. H / t 0 – 0.

The second half saw Marple get more involved, but the game remained tight, but a break from the returning Alistair with a kick ahead saw Ali dribble short of the line but pick up and dive over, con missed 5 – 0.
Then with 6 mins remaining a chase from Jack enabled Marple to win the ball and the ball was moved through hands for Sam to score under the post, con unbelieveably missed 10 – 0 with a nail biting 5 mins left. but Marple held firm and won 10 – 0. Good result against a strong Chester team.
Tries Alistair, Sam.
Squad ,
James Y, Jack, Danny, Sam, Jake, Nick, Richard, Alistair, Rob S, Jordan, Haydn, Joel, Jacob, Cameron, Tom H, Ryan, Joe, Tom W.

The U15′s decided to use this weeks postponement to get in some team bonding, with a couple of games bowling. 20 lads turned up and were split into 4 teams, with four group leaders myself, Dave C, James M & Anita. James M soon had the lads in order and  a couple of hours flew past as my team thrashed the others easily. One of my team even helped polish the lane, thanks Jack. Speed ball went to Jake nearly 23 mph, slow ball to Dave C just 3 mph and he even managed to bowl one the wrong way. On the way out our own rambo ( Adam ) was spotted on a shooting game…couldn’t hit a barn door. Great sunday morning to get the lads together.
Squad, Nick, Conor, Richard, Adam, Jamie, James Y, Cameron, Jacob, Tom H, Joel, Haydn, Rob S, Rob F, Eddie, Zak, Jack, Sam, Jake, Nathan & James G.

Winners , My team.
Fastest ball, Jake.
Slowest ball, Dave C.
Ball going wrong way, Dave C.
Cleanest player, Jack.