Rampant Vale of Lune rise to second spot

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 50 - 0 Altrincham Kersal – Regional 2 North West

Cloudy, dry and windless makes an ideal atmosphere for sport. As the Vale played host to these old rivals, the chasm between the two sides in the NW2 table was hard to ignore. But there is always the possibility of a slip-up.

From the first whistle blast from referee Morgan Sparke, Vale stand-off Kurt Gledhill launched the ball high. It came back to earth into the hands of the AK winger, who promptly dropped it. It was a glimpse of the afternoon the men from Greater Manchester were about to endure. Vale took possession and control, keeping play around the AK twenty-two metre line. AK adopted a dogged, defensive formation. It was breeched after five minutes by a series of rucks across the last five metres. No. 8 Sam Wallbank placed the crucial ball on the hallowed turf.

It was another combined forward effort which set up Harm Dokter to extend the lead from a driving maul. (Another tenner into his charity campaign for MND.) Vale's back division, benefitting from the expert tuition of coach Scott Armstrong, took over scoring duties with a forty-metre sprint by Damon Hall to the left corner, followed by a crossfield series of bullet passes for Jack McFarlane to outrun the last man. Hall's conversion thrilled the crowd when it bounced on the crossbar, and continued over for the additional two points.

Backs and forwards synchronised superbly when centre Jamie Mayall shrugged off hapless tacklers to make thirty metres to set up Sam Wallbank for his second. Half time came with the Vale holding all the aces, and the score at 31 -0.

Part two saw both props rested and replaced by Mike Bradshaw and Joe Crompton. There was no change to the Vale's stranglehold on the game. To their credit, AK's players maintained their composure, matching the Vale in midfield exchanges for significant periods. Vale's defensive tackles proved effective, keeping play far from their danger zone.

Vale winger Ryan Busby made his mark with a dash along the right touchline and across the dead ball area to score. A pair of Jacks rarely wins, but McFarlane and Ayrton made a winning partnership, finishing the move with a glorious sidestep and the Vale's seventh try. Sunshine and a shower of rain came along but spirits among the crowd remained undiminished. AK tried hard for a consolation try and were denied by the Vale holding up the ball off the ground on the tryline.

The Vale seemed to have as much time on the ball as they wanted, thus allowing some adventurous and flamboyant showmanship. The faithful loved every minute. The final change to Bruce's scoreboard came from hooker Harm Dokter.

Notable performances were many, but in particular, Vale's young stars; Archie Fowler notching up fifty 1st XV appearances, Josh Sutcliffe and Sam Walton had an afternoon to be proud of. The updated league table shows the Vale poised in second place. Could it be time to think about promotion? A rest period will follow, then the NW2 campaign resumes away at Burnage. Kick off at 2.15pm.

Team: A. Fowler, H. Dokter, R. Pillow, M. Goodman, J. Sutcliffe, S. Walton, S. Wallbank, J. Ayrton (c), B. Swarbrick, K. Gledhill, J. McFarlane, J. Mayall, H. Finan, R. Busby, D. Hall. Reps: J. Crompton, M. Bradshaw, D. Leighton.