Captain Jordan-Tighthead, Charlie-Hooker, Joe-Loosehead, Tez-Lock, Gianni-Lock, Calum-Scrumhalf, Jacob-Flyhalf, Wayne-Centre, Oliver-Centre, Jay-Wing, Jack-Wing, Declan-Fullback
Tom-played U10s today
Adam and Josh both unavailable.

Marple looked strong in their warm up preparation, passing the ball fluently along the line. Rob the coach identified this early, so Deon took a classroom session working on defence.

Marple started the game with a kick straight to Wayne, who opened his legs to gain 30 yards before popping the ball out to Declan who ran straight over the line with less than a minute gone. Declan converted putting the ball over the boundary fence into next year.
Marple restarted the game and Bury let it bounce a couple of times allowing Marple to get in their territory and the game started with more than 3 players....
With the classroom work we had done on the technical stuff of scrums, Bury set up well with a strong tight side and a technical left side. Marple put the ball in and Bury shoved to win the ball back. Calum collected and Bury passed through hands to Jay who got stopped just short of the line. Bury camped in the Marple 22 and eventually Gianni did his second row sidestep to bosh over the line. Gianni duly converted.
With the Bury scrum dominating the scrums and Gianni marshalling the line outs, Burys back line were getting frequent ball and passing really well. Jack and Jay were getting ball which wingers don't always see. This led to some good play with Jacob scoring in the corner, but uncharacteristically he hit the bar and missed his first conversion this season. Declan was to get his second try after some excellent forward work with Tez and Joe passing through hands when covering for centres stuck in the ruck. Declan offered his conversion attempt to Wayne who screwed it wide. With minutes remaining of the first half and after some good Marple play in Burys half, Calum was to steal the ball and release the forwards.... after Bury were stopped 10 yards short, Calum picked up from the ruck and sidestepped twice and powered over the line to score. Unfortunately after blaming the ball and the person who set it up for the conversion (that would be me), he missed.
First half ended 29-0.

To save on a cricket score, and the fact that Marple were still giving us a game, we changed people from their comfort zone positions. The only two staying were Calum at Scrummie, and Charlie at Hooker to gain experience. The two props dropped to second row, and the second rows filling in at props. The Flyhalf and Fullback exchanged places, and the Centres dropped to the Wings and the Wingers came to Centres.
We had also spoken with Tez to advise that he is running with the lines but without his hands ready to receive, and Charlie to be more physical when arriving at the breakdown.

The second half started with a Bury kick being gathered and passed through Marple hands. With some players adjusting to their new positions, it went along the line, and only a strong tackle taking the Marple player into touch saved a definate try. From the lineout Tez took cleanly and opened his legs to set up Jordan with a walkover. Jordan missed his conversion.
With Declan playing at Flyhalf for the first time he lined up his backs ready to attack. Charlie threw a perfect lineout ball which Gianni dropped to Calum, popping to Declan he saw there was no flyhalf so hit the space to score. Unfortunately their Flyhalf and Scrum Half had run into Gianni and Tez, (at a combined age of 21 years, and 19 stones,) they came off worse. Declans try was disallowed, and on reflection he knew this was a fair decision.
Marple still with some pride pushed on but couldn't score with Burys strength on defence today. Their line wasn't to be penetrated. Jack stole the ball and sped down the pitch, linking with Wayne, Oliver, Jacob and Jay they got stopped and penalised for not releasing in the ruck. Marple put the ball in but Bury turned the scrum through 90, allowing Bury the put in. With the centres split, Calum under instruction was to go blind, passing to Jay to drive over, but running at two players he opened the space for Wayne to receive the pass and power through to score. Wayne was the first to shake Jays hand for his pass, and offer him the conversion. Jay declined so Wayne scored a sweet conversion and turned like a Hero with arms aloft and received his acclaim.
With minutes remaining Joe, Charlie, Gianni, and Tez passed the short ball drawing the forwards and popping the ball to Jordan and Jack, they drew the players and allowed Oliver to get his legs at full speed on the wing. Jonah Lomu esq would have proud of his 5'7" protoge as he bounced two players off and carried the remaining 4 tacklers over the line with him. Realising Gianni was on a play bonus of a pound per point from his Dad, Oliver passed Gianni the ball to duly convert, and then shout "£9 Dad" towards the huge crowd.
Final Score 49-0

Man of the Match Forwards - Terence James
Man of the Match Backs - Oliver Parkinson

Next week should have been Barclays Festival, but we werent entered, so we will try and get a cancellation spot or a friendly against Glossop or Bolton.