The first team welcomed undefeated league leaders Burnley to Wood lane. Following a solid warm up from the Marple lads, the game got underway.

The half started with Marple receiving ball and pushed up the field with some good work from the home side. Marple gaining momentum in the opening minutes soon find themselves pushed back after a silly penalty. This giving Burnley the ball who then started to get their big runners into the game and with Marple struggling to get out of first gear they soon found themselves crashing over in the first 5 minutes for their first try of the game. Conversion kicked, 0-7 to Burnley.

Marple kicks off, unfortunately, the ball was straight to touch scrum down on the halfway line. This again with some sustained pressure from the away side pushed Marple back into their own 22 and soaking up pressure from Burnley. However, with some lose tackling the big runners of Burnley soon broke the game line and found themselves in for their second try of the game. Conversion made 0-14 to the away side.

Marple started to kick in to gear and soon started to find their foothold the boys soon found themselves working up the field to the away sides 22. Great rugby being shown from both sides. Unfortunately, the away side soon broke down Marple and forced the error turning the ball over and making there break that soon lead to role reversal and as Marple soon found themselves soaking up the pressure again. The away side started to show their skills and why they are league leaders this year and broke through for try number three. Conversion missed 0 - 19.

Tempers started to spark and this shortly leading to handbags between the sides and two yellow cards being shown leaving the teams 14 vs 14. The teams still even the game began to open up and both teams showing great skill in the game. Sadly, more great work from the away side soon seen them cross over for their fourth try of the game. The kick was good 0 – 26.

The finale embers of the half and both teams back to 15 v 15, Marple soon started to show what they can do and with some great work found themselves on the front foot for the first time in the game. Unfortunately, the story of the half was not positive for Marple as the attack fizzled out to nothing.

Half Time 0-26 to Burnley.

The half time team talks over both side return to the field. Marple’s 10 Adrian Parry get things underway with a great chase for Will Milton seen Marple reclaimed the ball and the home side seemed to have found a new lease of life in the game. Marple marched forward started to ask the question of the away side and the home side started to show what they can do when they get started.

The second half began to really open up both teams scrapping for every ball. Burnley’s discipline starting to slip and Yellow card after a yellow card were shown to the away side for silly discipline issues.

Both teams throwing everything they had at each other not only in attack but in defence with some stand out players that started to shine for Marple and show their ability shined through with Hayden Duffy not only being a dominate presents in the line out but also putting in game line stopping tackles on the big runners of Burnley. This opening up the opportunity for the Marple’s under 9 Rick Cross to start feeding the great ball to the backline with some big breaks from number 12 Tom Davis and 13 Gregg Sims.

The half with 15 minutes to go the game hit its heights with great work from both teams, soon brought a try but again to the disappointment of the home side, it was the away side that scored the next try. Extra points are good, 0-33 Burnley.

Final Score, Marple 0 – 33 Burnley.

Tough game for Marple but lots of positives from the second half performance from the lads and on to next week lots of work to be done. Huge credit to a great Burnley side who we wish the best of luck to next season with their imminent promotion.