The first game of the league season for Marple’s 1st team sees the lads travel down the M60 to Bury. The last time the two teams met Bury came out on top against the Marple side so this left a bit of a score to settle.

The game kicked off with Marple receiving the ball, this paved the way for Marple to show off their attacking skills and have a solid start to the game. However, like most games, there was a couple of shaky hands and dropped balls on the way but a positive start from Marple.

The lads settle into the game nicely and soon kicked on to push a strong Bury side back in the attacking play and holding them to not much in defense. Marple Pinned them back into their own half and with the great ball out from the forward pack the Marple backline soon enough Marple’s Captain Kieren Malpus broke through and opened the scoring under the post.

Parry converts 0-7 Marple

The early score soon kicked Bury into action who found themselves putting some heavy pressure on the Marple try line. The 15 men of Marple stood strong and held off the Bury side and cleared themselves out of trouble.

Marple shooting off downfield again with the brilliant work of the Marple backline with quick hands out to the wing soon saw some great footwork from winger Adam Supan who then dived over in the corner to give Marple the second try of the game.

Conversion missed 0-12 Marple

The Marple pressure was relentlessly dominating the line outs with the forwards carrying hard up the middle of the field and more try’s soon followed with a catch and drive from the line out that saw Hayden Duffy drive over for the third try of the game.

Followed by more great work from the forward pack that then saw Gregg Sims smash over for the 4th try of the game and Marple flying high and being nothing but clinical in their play both conversions were missed.

Half time 0-22 Marple!!

Following some positive words from the coaches and a couple of team changes, both sides took the field again a rocky restart from Marple allowed Bury to get a couple of phases together and put Marple under some unwanted pressure.

Marple used this to their advantage and kicked back into gear to then pen the Bury side back on there on 22 and then with a solid line out this gave way for the quick ball out to the wing and Adam suppan again dives over in the corner for his second try of the game.

Parry converts 0 -29 Marple

Marple ramping up the pressure in the second half to then see more try's with Rob Smith going for a 50 Meter stroll through the Bury 15 to put try number six on the board for Marple.

Conversion missed 0-34 Marple

Then a short switch off in the Marple side saw a ball go loose from the scrum and mopped up by Bury who ran over for their first try of the game.

Converted 7-34 Marple

Again, after this short scare. The Marplen sidekick back into gear and a couple of pentiles from Bury and quick tap caught the Bury side off guard and this soon allowed winger James Young in for his first try of the game and Marple’s 7th. The tries didn’t stop there with Gregg Sims again with great work scoring his 2nd and try number 8 for Marple.

Both conversions missed 7-44

Marple now in cruise control and their tails up soon saw a maitake in defense and a poor tackle from the Marple skipper. Leaving the ref, no choice but to send him off for a 10 minute cool down.

The 14 men off Marple soon started to open up and Bury found themselves running over 2 quick tries and bridging the gap on the scoreboard.

Both conversions missed 17-44

The game coming to its end and the win just moments away for Marple with the last play of the game. The Marple number 9 kicks a lovely 50/22, the Marple pack catch and drive from the line out sees Cam Hughes score try number 9 for Marple and close out the game.

Full-time Score 17-51

Man of the match: It was a hard choice as the whole team put in a man of the match performance but this week it is Jamie Grout.