Vale of Lune go top of league with Widnes win

MATCH REPORT: Widnes 22 Vale of Lune 41

The last throws of summer sunshine were on parade on Merseyside as Widnes RUFC played host to the Vale of Lune.

The home side had last season's close encounters in mind, but the Vale had more lofty ideas. 

After five minutes of testing the tolerance of each other's ball catchers, the Vale earned a lineout 15 metres out. The resultant driving maul took the Vale pack, and some of their backs, close to the line. It was the Vale's new powerhouse forward Joe Crompton who found the gap and opened the Vale's account with his 1st XV debut try.

Widnes soon came back into the Vale's half to take a penalty kick from twenty metres out to narrow the score. 

Buoyed by their territorial gains, Widnes took the lead with a confident back move from right to left, catching the Vale in a state of unreadiness. The Widnes No. 12 touched down to the left of the posts.

Late in the half, changes were made to the Vale personnel. Goodman came on the steady the ship. Soon, the driving maul gave hooker Harm Dokter the second Vale try of the afternoon.

Damon Hall shrewdly allowed for the high winds to add the conversion. He soon chalked up another three from a drop goal, taking all by surprise. A strike back by Widnes in the right corner brought the half time score to 15 all.

The second half brought more changes, with Alfie Bolton and Kurt Gledhiil coming on on the backs. A forward surge from the Vale allowed Jack Batty to pass to Gledhill, who found Hall cutting infield, and the third try ensued.

Widnes rose in output, pounding the Vale tryline until a chink of light appeared. The scores were levelled once more, at least until the next driving maul presented Harm Dokter to plant his second try on the hallowed turf. 

A skirmish on the halfway line spurred the fellow in yellow into taking formal action. Harry Fellows and the Widnes hooker both headed for a contemplative sojourn, triggering a forward reshuffle for both teams. Undaunted, the Vale stepped up and shifted the thrust to the left wing, where Jack McFarlane chipped, ran and gathered the ball for his try in the corner. 

The cherry on the Vale's cake was a showpiece, high-lofted ball from the boot of Hall. He dashed into contention, leapt into the fray and claimed the falling ball before outrunning the Widnes defenders to score.

Whilst Hall finished with such style, credit must also go to the grafters of the Vale pack. The relentless tackling of Jack Ayrton and Josh Sutcliffe, generated the possession and impetus for so many of the Vale's attacking phases.

However, man of the match was awarded to the versatile and energetic Joe Crompton. The Vale faithful are looking forward to seeing more of his industry. 

It has been a while since the Vale sat at the top of a league table. The chase is now on for the other teams in NW2 to make up the ground.

The Vale bring this status to next week's home fixture against West Park, St Helens. Kick off at 3pm.  

Team:  A. Fowler, H. Dokter, G.Oyston, H. Fellows, J. Crompton, J. Sutcliffe, J. Ayrton (c), E. Abdelghafar, J. Batty, H. Finan, D. Leighton, J. Mayall, D. Hall, J. McFarlane, C. Ramwell.      Reps:  M. Goodman, K. Gledhill, A. Bolton.