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FOOD & RETAIL HOPE VALLEY RUGBY CLUB

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

It may have taken four months, but Valley finally had the chance to complete their first ever league and cup double when they travelled to Nottingham RFC for “The Battle of the Valleys” as they faced Amber Valley in the NLD Vase final. In testing conditions and with nerves clearly playing a part, both teams struggled to produce much flowing rugby and it was tied at 3-3 with half time approaching, however Jake Oldridge guaranteed a Hope Valley interval lead with an opportunist try. The second half began in much the same way with both defences dominant and it was man-of-thematch Oldridge who extended the lead only for Amber Valley to hit back immediately with their only try. As the warm weather took its toll Hope Valley’s superior speed came into effect and, having wasted one fluent handling move, they completed another as skipper Matt Keeley scored the decisive try in a 20-8 victory.

HANGIN’ THEM UP

Valley’s NLD Vase triumph was tinged with sadness when veteran forward Mark Blanchon announced that he was retiring from playing. Joining Valley in 2016, Mark quickly became an active and popular Club member, both on and off the pitch, and it’s hoped he’ll remain a familiar figure on the sidelines ..... and in the bar.

IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY

Valley’s preparations for the new season were thrown into disarray when their popular post-match venue, “The Woodroffe Arms”, suffered extensive damage in a fire. Step forward another of the Club’s sponsors, Castleton’s “Swiss Tap”, who have agreed to pro-vide hospitality for the team and their opponents until a return to their “home” is possible.

ON THE RUN

Whilst his team mates were otherwise occupied Valley player Dom Hunter and his partner Phoebe Pembleton were enduring the Great North Run in aid of the mental health charity MIND. Like most rugby forwards Dom is not ideally built for distance running so this made his efforts all the more commendable and the Club supported his fundraising efforts by making MIND the match sponsor and official charity for the day and contributed to the pair raising £1260.