Chesterfield 19, Marple 5

Marple under 16’s made a hastily arranged visit to Chesterfield RUFC and although they lost, the general opinion from all was that the score didn’t fully reflect the game.

Chesterfield was always going to be a hard game and it didn’t disappoint.

A strong gale down the pitch made the game hard when running into it and Marple had that to do in the first half, conceding three times. The last one coming on the stroke of half time.

The second half was almost all in the Chesterfield half with both teams committing to hard tackles and strong forward play. Marple eventually crossed the line in added time, with man of the match Luke touching down.

Although this was a defeat for the team, their commitment and team play made the travelling support very proud.

There were too many good performances to mention players individually, so well done the whole TEAM!

Team: Joe, Alex, Simon, Danny, Matt, Eddie, Sam (c), Joe, Clyde, Dan, Ollie, Dan, Dan, Alex, Rob, Luke, Sam.

Marple 24, Tyldsley 15

Marple Under 16s continued to show why rugby is a team sport with an effort that involved every member of the team. Tyldsley and Marple both short of players played an exciting hard game that made up for the injury plagued fixture of last year. Tyldsley fielding only 14 players were big and strong, Marple with a bare 15 played many players out of position moving players from forwards to backs and testing a team member at prop for the first time.

Tyldsley started strongly and from the whistle pushed Marple to their try line. For 10 minutes Marple battled and fought the onslaught, eventually turning defence into attack and bringing the play into Tyldsley half. From that moment Marple gained control and were only at risk when concentration slackened.

First half tries were from fly half Danny which was then converted by Luke and hooker Ollie were well deserved as forward pressure took its rewards. Strong runs from Luke at outside centre and swift turn of speed from his centre partner Simon constantly made Tyldsley fullback work for his team.

In the forwards big hitting runs from Robert, Dan and Sam kept momentum going throughout the first half, only once allowing a moments lack of concentration in defence to give Tyldsley a try. The second half started brightly with pressure from Marple forwards with Clyde and Dan throwing them into contact. Tyldsley retaliated by scoring two tries, Marple then responded to this by collectively pushing Ollie over for his second try. Finally after persistent pressure and a practise run over the try line, Dan scored the last try of the game.

It was an enjoyable game to watch and a nice christmas present for a team with great potential.