Marple 5 Sandal 0

Marple 15 Leek 0

Marple 10 Ashbourne 0

Marple 0 West Park Leeds 10

Marple 10 Sheffield Tigers 0

Marple 0 Sheffield 15

Marple were just pipped by Sheffield and Leeds who went through to the semis, won those against Matlock and Bridgeford? and then Leeds won in the final.

A super day all round with good weather in a lovely setting.

Last year Mrs Reporter had to run the last mile with the Player to get in on time due to horrendous traffic. This year was much better and to avoid earache Mr Reporter set off a bit earlier, travelling through Chatsworth and arriving via the back road (thanks to whoever recommended that).

Camp was set up by our pitch and Gazebo man came prepared as usual for sudden inclemency.

Chris and Dan were back from inspecting the colonies via the high seas and everyone looked fit and ready for action.

The first game was tight but Dan was particularly sharp around the scrum and passed out well. Fraser broke free and from the next lineout Ben knicked one and ran into the corner for the only score.

Next up Leek with a big squad. Marple hit the ground running and from a good Bryn tackle, Fraser ran off again, passed to Ben who Campo shuffled his opponent to run into the right corner.

Oliver then got on the score sheet by reacting super-quick to a spilled ball by the try line. The third try came from a strong Dylan charge upfield and Dan pinged one out from the scrum to Fraser to score. Charles and Jack B tackled well to see off the remaining attacks.

Third game: Ashbourne kept Marple in check but Dan found a gap to open the scoring and the second try came from a Bryn run and pass to Ben who finished well. Good muscling by Luke, James, Harry and Dylan provided the backbone for the win.

A bit of a rest then while other teams played. Neville cranked up the BBQ to cloud out most of the ongoing action. Gary snapped away (email him for photos), (or check the official photographer’s site – email me or Chris if you haven’t got the access code).

To the Leeds game. Clearly a tough team but Marple sligthtly underperformed to let them in early. A couple of missed tackles and an interception gave them an easy lead. The lads fought back well particularly Dylan who fronted up bravely.

The game finished 2-0 but was delayed after Fraser suffered a nasty cut below the eye – it wasn’t a rumble in the Matlock jungle -  just a flicked boot from a teamate in the scrum. The cut was glued! by the good people of St Johns and Fraser played no further part, but he perked up well to watch the remaining games and support the boys.

Chant of the day playing the mighty Leeds was from Chris “come on the village of Marple”.

Marple bounced back in the fifth against Sheffield Tigers. Luke pushed over very well to open the scoring and then Dan picked up superbly at the scrum to dart over from a classic scrum half distance. That win was for Fraser.

Last game and Marple knew they had to win against the big Sheffield squad. It wasn’t to be however, Sheffield controlled well and their decent no. 10 spread the game effectively and they ran out 3-0 and went on to win their semi to get to the final.

Despite being the pantomime villains at times with some high tackles, West Park Leeds deservedly won the close final. Like Bremner, Clarke, Giles and Hunter, the Leeds physicality edged the day.

Stockport 35, Marple 15

After getting thumped by 11 tries in the December home tie against Stockport, this performance and result was testament to the growing maturity and confidence that Marple have begun to display. (more…)

Venue – Sandbach. Weather – lovely!

The bare stats were: played 4, won 1, lost 2 and drew 1. Marple were hoofed out of the cup in the knockout stage despite drawing the match against Winnington – the rules stating in the event of a draw that the team scoring first goes through. (more…)

Marple 40 Heaton Moor 15

Another excellent performance from Marple, powering to an eight tries to three victory.

This was however no walk in the park, and the visitors battled well throughout. Their heads could have dropped at 8-1 but they nicked the last 2 scores through grit and determination. (more…)

Sedgley Park 5 Marple 30

Early in the season Marple were narrowly beaten by Sedgley Park through some naive defending. This return fixture saw Marple exact revenge in true style, punishing the hosts with six well worked tries. (more…)

Marple 5 Manchester 20

A game of three thirds; Marple won the first period but Manchester fought back well to run out eventual winners at 4 tries to 1. After a hatrick of recent wins, this wasn’t exactly a wake-up call, but it was a reminder that some of the basic skills still need nailing down.

Marple faced a large Manchester squad of over 20 players. The visitors were well drilled up front and in the backs. Their forwards in particular displayed good technique in the rucks and were quicker at the breakdown, and, unlike Marple, their players were seldom isolated. As a consequence, Manchester kept the ball and Marple didn’t (much). (more…)

Marple 30 Wirral 5

Sale 15 Wirral 5

Marple 25 Sale 5

A three-way tie saw Marple in classy form and the home side deservedly won both of their bouts leaving the visitors to fight for the scraps.

Despite the name, Sale are a new minis club and fair play, they ran, passed and battled with conviction and deserved their close win over Wirral. For Wirral, it was unfortunately a long way to come without reward; always a nice club to visit, they will no doubt be seeking revenge next season.

To the Marple games.

Marple v Wirral

Wirral started positively and retained the ball for the first few minutes. The scene seemed set for a tough encounter. Marple defended well however and the pattern for the match began to show – strong Wirral forward work but lacking the final flourish and pace. (more…)

Macclesfield 10 Marple 50

Marple put on a terrific display of running rugby to outclass a spirited Macclesfield team.

The game was played on the enviously well drained Kings School pitches a short walk from the Macc clubhouse. Conditions were a tad nippy with the biting wind at one point sending the burger tent flying towards the cheshire plain. (more…)

Dukinfield 15 Marple 10

18/01/09

Marple had a great game of rugby. Their tackles were not so good but Oliver E did a try saving tackle which really cheered me up. I really liked the game but their team were rude to Marple’s coach Chris. Dylan was putting a lot of effort into the game with great strength. I thought the best players on the pitch were Oliver E and Dylan. It was a shame that Marple only had eight players after an injury with Jack’s leg. The try scorers were Bryn and Dylan. MOTM – Dylan, Effort – Oliver.

Bryn. (Guest reporter!)

Marple 0 Stockport 55

Not a typo unfortunately. Marple weren’t at their best but Stockport put on a great display of rugby to fully deserve this win.

The Stockport performance has hopefully given the Marple team a standard to aim for as they develop. Individual responsibility in the tackles, quick to support team mates, good technique at the rucks, first to react at breakdowns – all aspects that allowed the away team to dominate for most of the game.  Yes they are a big club with some big strong players to call upon from the area, but Marple have a talented squad that can compete at this level if they can continue to develop the skills and belief.

The trick after a good thrashing is not to be too downhearted – it wasn’t that long ago when Wales were getting similarly thumped by England………

Marple put some decent phases together at times, but strong runs from Ben, Bryn and Olly that in previous games might have led to a try, against Stockport were reigned in.  Other positives were the good scrummaging again. The not-so-secret plan of putting our tallest player in the line-out also worked really well!

Highlight of the morning’s play was the last score when despite the Marple tackles Stockport put together some fantastic passing moves to  score and bring applause from all those watching.

MOTM for Marple went to the ever improving Olly for his breaks and team play, with Dylan’s strength in the forwards bagging the effort award. Our big winter signings – James and Dylan – are both settling in well.

So, some wound licking, but it was good to see the boys soon cheered up and were later seen in the clubhouse busily munching sausages and plotting for next week’s Lads v Dads game.