Vale of Lune go down to Douglas defeat

MATCH REPORT: Douglas 31 Vale of Lune 8

Early concerns about the weather were unfounded as the low autumn sun warmed the island and its visitors.

By plane, boat and double decker bus, two teams and respective officials made the expedition to Port-e-Chee, for this third and fourth place NW2 clash. 

With Aryton, Swarbrick, Hall, Bradshaw and Finan all unavailable, head coach Mark Goodman had to made adjustments.

It included a Vale 1st XV debut for promising forward, Josh McKinnon.

After 10 minutes of mutual cancelling out of each other's efforts, illegal lifting in the scrum by Douglas gave Jamie Mayall a penalty kick on the 22 metre line, which he slotted home to open the Vale's account. 

The home side, playing in maroon and yellow, were well-drilled and efficient, particularly in the scrums. Vale's containment of this threat was dealt a cruel blow when loose head prop Archie Fowler sustained an arm injury and had to leave the field. The versatile George Oyston came on and the campaign continued. 

Clouds obscured the sun and the temperature dropped, but the effort output from both teams remained high.

The Vale's renowned strengths in lineouts and driving mauls were not allowed to flourish, and a frustrating period without any score ensued.

A tactical change brought on the powerful debutant McKinnon to match the Douglas pack, who were a handful throughout. A series of phases in the left corner brought appeals for a penalty try from the locals, but a try was achieved cleanly anyway. The half time score was 7-3 to Douglas. 

The restart brought a period of Douglas possession, and a penalty kick from 35 metres was on target.

Vale were valiant in defence with Mayall and Bolton cutting out ball carriers with scything tackles. Full back Ryan Busby, worked hard to neutralise high balls in the Vale's danger zone, whilst Leighton and McFarlane conscientiously patrolled the touchlines for incursions. 

Douglas stretched the Vale with some quick passing for their right winger to steam in to score a second try. At the other end, the Douglas No 8 was found to have impeded the Vale maul, and was sent to the naughty step for 10 minutes.

Vale used the advantage to drive over the try-line for Harm Dokter to narrow the deficit. Was a comeback on the cards? The travelling support certainly hoped so. 

It was not to be. In a replica of their previous try, Douglas added another and the gap became unsurmountable. In the dying moments Douglas chased the coveted fourth try and heavy pressure was applied near the Vale try-line.

Physical resistance made tempers flare for both teams, and the referee dispatched two Vale players to the bin. Douglas got their fourth try and the bonus league point.  

League places were swapped between these combatants.

The Vale remain in an encouraging position as another blank Saturday approaches.

They will be back in action on November 22 at home against Northwich. Kick off at 2.15pm.

Team:  A. Fowler, H. Dokter, J. Crompton, H. Fellows (c), J. Sutcliffe, M. Goodman, J. Wallbank, S. Wallbank, J. Batty, K. Gledhill, J. McFarlane, A. Bolton, J. Mayall, D. Leighton, R. Busby.      Reps: J. McKinnon, G. Oyston, S. Walton.