With a number of new recruits arriving during the summer, MV began the campaign with the clear ambition of challenging for an immediate return to the higher division.

 

The opening exchanges were cautious, with both sides using the boot to test each other before MV found the first breakthrough. Good possession was moved wide and new recruit Soliu finished in the corner. O’Shea added the conversion.

 

MV’s kicking game and disciplined midfield defence then began to establish territorial control, with Adam Mason and the centres particularly effective in keeping Glossop pinned in their own half. A scrum 10 metres from the Glossop line provided the platform for Aaron Booth, who showed excellent footwork from fly-half to jink his way through and score beneath the posts. O’Shea converted.

 

MV were beginning to find their rhythm. From the restart, they put their structure into practice, moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other in a sweeping attack which ended with another new signing, full-back Joey Wilson, crossing in the corner. The touchline conversion struck the crossbar.

 

The pressure continued. An excellent lineout steal from the evergreen Cleggy gave MV further territorial possession before a penalty five metres out. The MV pack took control from the resulting set-piece, driving over the line for Andrew Beales to dot down. O’Shea again converted.

 

Glossop were not without their opportunities. From the restart, MV moved through three quick phases before nudging the ball through for Soliu, who appeared certain to score before an unfortunate trip five metres short of the line allowed Glossop to recover.

 

The visitors subsequently built pressure of their own, aided by a number of penalties, and eventually found themselves with a lineout just five metres from the MV line. Fortunately for MV, the Glossop throw was overzealous and Jamie Butler was waiting underneath it to claim possession, allowing MV to relieve the pressure with an excellent 50:22.

 

Another strong MV maul created the next opening. Adam Mason appeared to have broken through before being stopped by an excellent scrag tackle from the Glossop No. 10. Mason recovered quickly enough to offload to O’Shea, who finished beneath the posts and converted his own try.

 

Glossop enjoyed their strongest spell of the half during the final 10 minutes, forcing MV into some excellent scramble and goal-line defence. MV eventually turned defence into attack when Joey Wilson gathered near his own five-metre line and carried strongly towards halfway before releasing O’Shea. The fly-half raced away for a 50-metre run-in. The conversion attempt was missed.

 

Just before the interval, the player-coach brought himself off, with O’Shea moving into the No. 10 shirt and a reshuffle taking place across the backline.

 

Glossop emerged from the break with renewed determination and immediately put MV under pressure. Despite some excellent scramble and goal-line defence, the visitors eventually forced their way over for a converted try.

 

Glossop continued to apply pressure, but a penalty finally allowed MV to clear their lines. From the resulting lineout and maul, Jamie Parker broke away and ran approximately 30 metres to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.

 

The game had otherwise been well tempered, but a brief scuffle then broke out, with some pushing and shoving resulting in both sides receiving a red card.

 

Glossop continued to threaten and had clearly found an attacking approach which was causing MV problems. With MV perhaps easing off following their high-tempo first half, an interception as they attempted to play out from inside their own 22 allowed Glossop to score beneath the posts, with the conversion added.

 

Despite the visitors’ improved second-half performance, MV had done more than enough to secure a convincing 45–14 victory.

 

The result provides an encouraging start to MV’s campaign. The summer recruits have already made an impact, while the performance demonstrated the attacking ambition and defensive resilience that will be required if MV are to challenge for promotion this season.