The rain-threatening clouds parted as Marple 2nd team boarded the minibus, leaving a crisp autumnal day for the long trip to play Oswestry 2nd team. As the teams warmed up it became apparent that it was going to be a muddy, forwards orientated game, and it was.
Oswestry recycled the rucks well and looked to give good field position to the backs, it worked. However Marple hit back quickly and managed to create an overlap, despite being a man lighter than the opposition, and Bryn Shipperlee crossed the whitewash to level the scores.
Oswestry continued their game plan and it paid off not long before half time to leave it 10-5 at the break.

The 2nd half brought a lot of the same as both teams looked to secure the points. Marple upped their game and began to win set pieces against the head but it was Oswestry who gained the upper hand and left Marple needing 2 scores. Dom Nunn duly delivered to make it 15-10. Our forwards continued to dominate with strong running across all 8, especially from Jamie Grout, Jon Welsford and captain Alex Jenner, the latter finally crashing over from 4 yards after another composed bit of play from the ever silky Matt Wright. Bryn added the conversion and then took the last bit of wind out of a tiring Oswestry with a try through Harry Sullivan. A kicked penalty 10 minutes from time sealed the deal.
Oswestry refused to lie down but didn't manage to break a resilient Marple defence who saw out the remaining minutes to win 25-15. 110% was given by every man, but MOTM goes to scrum half Matty Wright.