Vale of Lune one game away from promotion after Douglas play off victory

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 23 - 18 Douglas I.O.M – Regional 2 North West play-offs

Vale of Lune RUFC are just one match away from promotion from Regional 2 North West after a tense victory over Douglas Isle of Man in their play off clash at Powder House Lane.

Clouds ringed with Spring sunshine enveloped the hallowed turf of Powder House Lane. Not quite warm enough for shirtsleeves, but the tingling anticipation of the NW2 play-offs added heat to the occasion.

The 200th 1st XV appearance for prop Ross Pillow was cause to celebrate, as was the Vale showing gratitude to their band of volunteers, who make the machine work through out the year. Prior to kick off, a minute's silence was observed to mark the passing of players of yesteryear, reminding all present of those who had graced this stage before.

The Vale kept the core of recent selections and, from Mr Ainslie's first whistle blast, utilised this familiarity to take control. Within three minutes, a penalty was awarded in range of the posts. Jamie Mayall's artillery claimed the first three points. He soon added two more to go 9-0 up before Douglas got into gear.

Vale put pressure on Douglas

The visitors replied with a penalty kick of their own, and just when it looked as though scoring tries had gone out of fashion, winger Dan Leighton finished a sequence of bullet passes from left to right, to strike a decisive blow. Douglas stuck to the script and added another three points with the boot, to bring the half-time score to 14-6 to the Vale.

Mike Bradshaw and Archie Fowler came on to replace the props. With their power, the Vale pressed toward the Douglas try line with a lengthy campaign of rucking, reaching the Manxmen's five metre area. Douglas held out, and that hard-earned possession released Vale's backs into space. Frustratingly, one wild pass brought the move to a fruitless conclusion.

Mayall kept the till ringing with his fourth kick on target, then another, then another. Seventeen points ahead and complacency threatened. Douglas' No.8 spotted a chink of light and dived through to score their first try. This spurred on some determined forward play from the travellers, and when the ball was released to their backs, Mayall's attempt to intercept was deemed to be a deliberate knock-on. Off to the 'naughty step' he went.

Harry Fellows wins in the air

A man down and on the back foot, the Vale had to find the requisite resolve to hold out, whilst Douglas smelled blood. A high, lofted ball to the right corner was not dealt with by the Vale defence, and the Douglas winger took advantage to narrow the deficit. The conversion left Douglas only one score from the lead.

The resultant defending by the Vale was as valiant as it was desperate, and when the final whistle came, there was more relief than celebration.

The Vale's top performer was hooker Joe Lashley. The Vale experienced something new in this match. The play-offs have brought a fresh dynamic. Every game has the jeopardy of a cup tie and there is no room for a bad day.

Billy Swarbrick clears

As the game ended, the news came through that Sandbach had beaten Widnes, setting up Round Two of the play-offs with a Vale home fixture against their old Cheshire rivals next Saturday. This clash of two high-quality teams with the prize of a promotion spot is a tantalising prospect. Kick off is at 3pm.

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