Vale of Lune maintain second place in table after Birkenhead victory

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 26 - 15 Birkenhead Park (Regional 2 North West)

Vale of Lune remain second in the Regional 2 North West table after overcoming Birkenhead in front of a bumper crowd at Powder House Lane.

The contest was the final Vale home match of the scheduled NW2 season, with Vale still with a title to chase or at least ensuring a play-off place come the end of the campaign.

Birkenhead Park had endured a difficult season, with the Vale contributing to that back in November. But the absence of the injured Damon Hall and Ryan Busby had the potential to equalise the differential. The return of the lively Campbell Murrell brought some comfort.

Referee Jack Shuker came from the Gloucester Society to officiate. His whistle ignited a combative opening sequence, resulting in an early forwards' drive for the visitors to register a converted try on the right.

The Vale were unconcerned, as centre Jamie Mayall took the initiative. He claimed the ball and jinked through so many ill-timed challenges to reach the five metre line. As he was brought to ground, he popped the ball into the hands of the shrewdly-positioned Billy Swarbrick, who leaped over to equalise.

From the restart, the granite pillar of the pack, Harry Fellows, caught the falling ovoid and set off on his own campaign. Fending off tackles with supreme confidence, Fellows made thirty metres before setting up No. 8 Sam Wallbank to steam in from the right flank to take the lead. Mayall added the extra two, and the faithful on the terrace settled in to enjoy the afternoon.

Birkenhead were not in a generous mood. A penalty conceded by the Vale, twenty-five metres out, was slotted home by the sweet left foot of the Birkenhead stand off. This triggered a shift in tactics by both sides. Whilst the efforts of both sets of forwards were intended to reach the try line, the middle part of the match became a game of penalty kicks for goal.

Mayall was composed and efficient, totting up three penalty scores in quick succession. The half time tally was 23-10 to the Vale.

The second half saw the Vale under the cosh. Pinned in their own twenty-two metre area, defensive training kicked in and the onslaught was contained. Frustrations in the face of Vale's resistance brought a slip in the discipline of the Birkenhead players.

Their No. 5 was dispatched for a ten-minute spell of compulsory contemplation, during which Mayall added another three points with the boot.

Birkenhead never lost their focus. A wide passing move from left to right produced the gap they sought, and their right winger crossed the try line to notch up the visitors' second try.

A first team debut for long-serving Vale winger Kevin Briston was well received by the Vale supporters. Birkenhead, however, fared with less to celebrate. A red card for a cynical high tackle, again reduced their line-up to fourteen.

Ahead and unassailable, the Vale continued to press for the bonus point, but it was not to be. Despite thrusting manoeuvres by Mayall and Fowler, the second half produced only three points to the Vale and five to the visitors, leaving the final score at 26 to 15.

Notable performances were attributed to Harry Fellows in the forwards, and Jamie Mayall in the backs. Next week brings another trip south to Winnington Park in Cheshire.

Team: A. Fowler, H. Dokter, R. Pillow, H. Fellows, J. Sutcliffe, S. Walton, S. Wallbank, J. Ayrton (c), B. Swarbrick, H. Finan, C. Murrell, J. Mayall, E. Abdelghafar, D. Leighton, J. McFarlane. Reps: J. Lashley, K. Briston, J. Crompton.

Here are some more action images of the game. Photos by Tony North.

Harry Fellows in action

Sam Wallbank sprints down the wing to score

Jack McFarlane takes on Park

Jamie Mayall clears