It's a very rare occurrence that a team achieves the "double" over Valley and, if recent history is anything to go by, Marple 2nd XV are destined to win the league as it's only been the Division 4 East champions who have achieved that feat.

Having not played for a month some rust was inevitable, but Valley were able to field a strong team and were eager to prove to the visitors that they were a better side than the one which lost 66-12 at Marple earlier in the season. It was obvious, however, from their warm-up that Marple were a well drilled side so it came as no surprise that, despite some stern Valley defence, the visitors opened the scoring after nine minutes with a converted try (0-7).

What was a surprise was Valley's response and how vulnerable Marple's defence looked. Matt Keeley produced a typically powerful run for their first try, converted by David Ryder (7-7) and, within six minutes, Valley were ahead as Marple struggled to deal with Jake Oldridge's chip kick and he found Matt Keeley in support for his second try (14-7).

Better was still to come as another Oldridge kick caused chaos in the defence and some superb handling by David Ryder put Ed Oldridge in for another converted try (21-7) and the visitors were clearly rattled. However, for some reason, Valley's players suddenly appeared to believe that their opponents had grown six inches and gained two stones as they began to stand off tackles, allowing Marple's powerful runners far too much space and, within six minutes, a 21-7 lead became a 21-24 deficit. Valley seemed in disarray, but, with time running out, Jake Oldridge, who was consistently a threat to Marple scored a solo try to enter half time with a narrow lead (26-24).

That, however, was as good as it got for Valley as Marple's half time team talk certainly seemed to take effect. Their defence stiffened as they consistently cut down Valley's "danger" men, their handling defied the wet, muddy conditions and they retook the lead with a fluent try and, before the crowd had had time to wake from the slumber created by the world's longest (missed) conversion attempt, another try, followed by the world's longest successful conversion, created an unassailable lead (26-41).

Valley's defence stiffened and a comeback was attempted, but, with both teams tiring in testing conditions, their attempts foundered on handling errors and Marple put the icing on the cake with a last minute try that proved their title credentials, but also proved that Valley, without taking four weeks off, can be a match for any team in the league.

Tries: Keeley (2), E.Oldridge, J.Oldridge
Cons: Ryder (3)

Man of the match: With the Christmas excesses clearly taking their toll everyone at some point took time off with the exception of Charlie Pill who put in a hardworking performance, both in attack and defence.
Mandy of the match: Cramp is defined as "the muscle suddenly shortening and becoming tight" so we were all surprised that not only could David "Noodle" Ryder get cramp, but that he could recover so quickly.

This defeat saw Valley slip to fourth in the league, but they'll have an immediate chance to reclaim third next Saturday (11 Jan) when they visit Macclesfield RUFC to face a 4th XV who suffered a comprehensive 54-14 defeat in Hope, but are also the only team to defeat the league leaders this season.