Glossop storm to victory at Hargate Hill

North One West: Glossop 27-0 Vale of Lune

Glossop struggled against the Vale of Lune when they played them earlier in the season losing the game 29-10, so the Hillmen were determined to make amends when the return fixture came along.

Vale of Lune were making their first ever visit to take on Glossop in the Derbyshire club's fortress at Hargate Hill, the Derbyshire side having suffered only one home defeat, 16-3, against the hot favourites for promotion Stockport, who have yet to have their colours lowered in North One West.

Straight from the kick off Glossop's powerful forwards made their presence felt but not only did Vale of Lune absorb their onslaught with a degree of comfort they countered with a flowing three-quarter move inspired by their scrum half Billy Scarisbrick.

First half Glossop played against the wind and the visitors failed to capitalise on the advantage. In the 17th minute Glossop managed to score a try from a five metre line out, the powerful maul that ensued, produced No 8, Kieran Wain who popped out to dash over the line unchallenged, right in front of the club house. Tom Dearnaley converting.

Just before the interval, Vale of Lune’s Alex Briggs saw his forty metre penalty kick drift to the right of the posts.

Half time score 7-0  

In the second half, Kieran Wain scored again from a 5m scrum, Tom Dearnaley converted. Soon after the very same, Kieran Wain scored from a line out but the torrential rain and gusting wind got the better of Tom, so the score was 19-0. Tom Dearnaley soon after got the better of the wind and slotted a penalty over making the score 22-0

The next try was crucial as it was the bonus point try and came from none other than that No 8 again, Kieran Wain at the back of a well worked 5m scrum, he dribbled it along in the scrum to touch down as the ball crossed the line. The score was 27-0 and Glossop now had a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Vale of Lune threw the kitchen sink at Glossop in the last few minutes of the game in a desperate attempt to at least get rid of the big fat zero on the score board. All credit to Glossop and the “Blue Wall” (which is the nickname for the Glossop defence) for keeping them out, the tackling was fierce, brutal but fair.

On reflection, this Glossop performance was long over-due. Having nearly won the last three matches but missing out on victory due mainly to a high penalty count, it is heartening to see that today’s performance had no penalty count against Glossop. Proving that good discipline plays a big part in achieving victory. 

The last time Vale of Lune failed to trouble the scoreboard operator in a league setting was in February 2019 when they lost at Hull, 97-0, in a one sided North Premier encounter.

Next week sees Glossop travel to Penrith at the top of the Lake District, with the promise of stormy weather.