SIGNING OFF IN STYLE

With the league title already assured Valley made the trip to Didsbury on a perfect day for running rugby, determined to sign off in style. It was obvious that, after five weeks of inactivity, some of the players' shirts had shrunk, but Valley put the inconvenience aside to start in emphatic fashion.

Old Bedians opted for uncontested scrums as they were unable to field a full front row, but despite losing one of their weapons the visitors attacked at every opportunity and, despite some fierce tackling, it took just four minutes for the first try to arrive as Will Boot took a well timed pass to stroll over unopposed, Oliver Tibenham adding the easiest of conversions (7-0).

Despite plenty of possession Valley were struggling to break down the home defence and it was another nine minutes before they scored, full back Rory Williams making the initial break, finding Steve Rawson in support and the scrum half raced 80 metres before giving the try scoring pass to Ed Oldridge (12-0).

It was one way traffic now, but the home defence were in determined mood and it took a powerful run by Joe Scouler to commit several tacklers, leaving Jake Oldridge the space to score (19-0) and when Jae Rodgers spun through several would-be tacklers to score as time was running out the contest was effectively over (26-0).

In testing conditions Valley chose to use several of their reserves at half time and the injection of fresh legs had an immediate impact, George Watts benefitting from a charged down kick to score,Ed Oldridge scoring his second before Harry Oldridge and Rory Williams both scored a brace of long range tries, Oldridge's second being particularly galling for Old Bedians as it seemed likely that they were about to score before Valley raced the length of the field.

Valley were in no mood to take their foot off the gas and a hard working performance from Joe Scouler was rewarded as time ran out as he scored a "One Inch Wonderkid" try to crown an emphatic performance and a 71-0 victory,

Tries: E.Oldridge (2), H.Oldridge (2), R.Williams (2), Boot, J.Oldridge, Scouler, Watts
Cons: Tibenham (6), H.Oldridge (1), Rawson (1)

Men of the match: It was impossible to separate Rory Williams, who put in an superb performance from full back, and all-action flanker Jae Rodgers.
Mandy of the match: Having played as a back in his youth Blake Clover proved why he's now a hooker as a promising attack ended when his kick sailed directly into touch.

Valley will have a day off next Saturday before their season ends with a huge game as they host Sleaford RUFC in the NLD Vase semi final (07 May).