Vale of Lune move one step closer to promotion after second play off win

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 29 - 17 Sandbach – Regional North West 2 play offs

Vale of Lune RUFC defeated Sandbach in the North West 2 play-offs to move one step closer to promotion.

A change to the Vale's line-up was brought about by cornerstone Sam Wallbank becoming unavailable. The combative Joe Lashley brought his skills to the back row. With the whistle was Alastair Sweeting from Durham, assisted by Refs-in-Training, Kieron Henry and Callum Hughes.

The Vale came out ready and brimming with intent. Playing into the sun, the action was concentrated around the Sandbach twenty-two metre line. Vale's pack appeared to concede some poundage to their visitors.

But technique prevailed, and a driving maul in the left corner produced a try by Sam Walton. Sandbach copied that move from a lineout to equalise.

Vale's confidence showed in the midfield, with Eddie Abdelghafar, Joe Lashley and Jack Ayrton repeatedly finding gaps in the Sandbach defences. Full back Henry Clifton leaped to claim a high ball on the half-way line.

He came off worst in the challenge and went to ground. Play continued to the right flank and the move was finished with a showman's try by Walton in the right corner.

Jamie Mayall added the extra two points and, with admirable resolve, Clifton resumed his duties. The Vale's third was a crowd-pleaser. A half-hearted clearance kick was snatched out of the air by Ryan Busby forty metres from the try-line. He set off with Sandbach defenders closing in.

Busby jinked, darted and skipped away from hapless tacklers. Stopping and changing direction twice to thwart his pursuers, then sprinting for the line to score. Mayall was on target with the conversion, and the half-time tally reached 19 - 5 to the Vale.

Archie Fowler came on in the front row and the Vale forwards' output remained set at 'Menacingly High!' Prolonged possession triggered a rapid passing move across the field from left to right.

The overlap gave Dan Leighton space to shine, bringing the scoring spot to an agreeable position for Mayall to notch up his third conversion kick. He also added a penalty to his account to further extend the lead.

It wasn't all going Vale's way. Clifton was denied a try by being held up on the line, and Eddie Abdelghafar was deemed to have committed a high tackle, for which he was dispatched to the bench for ten minutes. Sandbach raised their game, using the numerical advantage to stretch the Vale. Two more Sandbach tries were added, but ultimately, time ran out for them and the final whistle signalled the end to their season.

Amidst so many worthy candidates, Man-of-the-Match was awarded to captain Jack Aryrton for his tenacious tackling, probing carries and commanding leadership. The

Vale celebrated not only more progress in the league play-offs, but enjoyed some satisfaction for having beaten a strong team who had won this fixture twice this season.

The promotion campaign goes on. Vale travel next Saturday to West Bridgeford RUFC in Nottinghamshire for their next play off round.

Team: J. Crompton, H. Dokter, R. Pillow, H. Fellows, J. Sutcliffe, S. Walton, J. Lashley, J. Ayrton (c), B. Swarbrick, H. Finan, R. Busby, E. Abdelghafar, J. Mayall, D. Leighton, H. Clifton. Reps: A. Fowler, M. Bradshaw, A. Bolton.