MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 21 - 52 Anselmians – North West Division 1

It was a defeat for Vale of Lune at the hands of North West Division 1 league leaders Anselmians at Powder House Lane.

Barry Lees reports.

A full programme of games rolled out across the hallowed turf of Powder House Lane. The showpiece of this spectacle was the 1st XV's clash against high-flying old rivals Anselmians from Birkenhead. Before the game, a minute of silence was observed in respect of Vale's Alan Poppleton, who passed away this week following a short illness.

The Vale fielded a changed side, with Dorrington, Walton and Abdelghafar unavailable. Instead, Busby and Goodman made their first forays of the season.

Olly King was wielding the whistle, and from the first blast, the Vale came at the visitors with purpose and determination. Luke Procter made significant carries in midfield, and the Vale backs probed the Anselmians' defences. Jamie Mayall placed the ball in touch ten metres out, and from the lineout, the Vale drove over try line for Josh Sutcliffe to score.

Anselmians replied with a long, bobbling ball near to the Vale's left touchline. Their winger won the foot chase to level the score. The next Vale effort brought the crowd to their feet.

Centre Henry Clifton gathered an unattended ball ten metres into his own half and took off like an arrow from a crossbow. He tore a chasm in the wall of yellow and black hoops, and made forty metres before edging a pass to Ben McGarvey to fend off the last of the challenges to score on the left.

Anselmians matched the Vale with a driving maul try in the right corner. This was soon followed by a backs move from left to right, which exploited an overlap and claimed a half time lead of 14-17.

A sharp dip in temperature was evident and showers dampened the atmosphere. Half time saw player adjustments for Vale. Tom Verlaque and Ryan Busby came on, and soon had to contain a resurgent Anselmians' campaign.

The Merseyside men had the ability to hold on to the wet ball more effectively than the Vale were doing. This gave them momentum, and four more tries in twenty minutes. It could have been more but for the heroics of Busby behind his own try line.

The Vale's powerful loose-head prop, Joe Crompton, suffered a blow which required physio attention. More changes were made, with Goodman and Taylor-Smith bolstering the forward effort. In the dying moments, the Vale claimed a consolation try by Josh Sutcliffe, but the result had already been decided.

Anselmians maintained their flawless record and sit at the top of the NW1 table, whilst Vale hover in the middle.

The effort level was not in doubt, but the Vale had encountered a force which shone a spotlight on the difference between last year's league and this year's.

Vale are away at Stockport away next Saturday. Kick off at 3pm.

Team: J. Crompton, M. Bradshaw, T. Butler, A. Ryder, L. Procter, J. Sutcliffe, J. Ayrton (C), S. Wallbank, B. Gould, A. Briggs, I. Cook, J. Mayall, H. Clifton, J. Macfarlane, B. McGarvey. Reps: T. Verlaque, R. Taylor-Smith, M. Goodman, R. Busby.