Vale of Lune overpower Waterloo

Match Report: Vale of Lune 52 Firwood Waterloo 3

Late summer warmth came through the clouds at Powder House Lane to welcome last seasons NW2 runners-up.

Firwood Waterloo were the only side the Vale was unable to beat in the last campaign.

Early phases of changeable possession in midfield allowed some settling in, but the deadlock was broken by a 35 yard penalty kick by Waterloo's No. 10, Ratcliffe.

The Vale came back with clear intent.

No. 8 Sam Wallbank made the break in the Waterloo defence, allowing the lively Abdelghafar to jink, spin and hurl himself over the line next to the posts.

Damon Hall converted and the masterclass was under way.

The second Vale try came from a driving maul, finished off by hooker Harm Dokter.

The tries came thick and fast, but mostly fast. Winger Jack Macfarlane cut infield and took the honours following Chris Ramwell's incision into the green wall with the skill of a surgeon.

The Vale's well-placed confidence was displayed over and over. Sprinter Damon Hall claimed a high ball he seemed to have no chance of reaching, and the Waterloo resolve was dented by a continuous battering from the Vale forwards.

Scrum half Billy Swarbrick took a pass from Macfarlane to register his first try of the season, and Wallbank powered over to cross the line to the left of the posts. Hall made it five out of five with the boot, and the half time score reached an inequitable 35 -3 to the Vale. 

The restart brought more of the same Vale possession. Interplay between backs and forwards entertained the crowd as well as threatening the Waterloo tryline.

Second row Harry Fellows steamed in from the right flank to score, which stirred some increase in the resistance from the visitors. When Hall was shown yellow by referee Rosie Procter for a high tackle, the advantage merely allowed Waterloo to slow the Vale's scoring rate. Undaunted, the action moved to the left wing where Daniel Leighton took his opportunity to please the crowd at the clubhouse end. 

The Vale pack had the final word. Amidst a pile of arms and legs on the Waterloo tryline, there was a ball somewhere in there with Matt Mount's hands on it.

Right to the final whistle, the Vale were hungry for more. A 60-yard dash by the restored Hall energised team and supporters alike.

Man-of-the-Match was a tight call, but it went to Sam Wallbank, whose hunger for the ball and probing charges through the Waterloo defences set up so many productive chances. 

It was a dream start to the NW2 league campaign, and whilst there are many obstacles to overcome over the next eight months, the Vale have made themselves to target of all other teams. This confidence goes with them to Widnes next Saturday. Kick off at 3pm. 

Team:  A. Fowler, H. Dokter, M. Bradshaw, H. Fellows, J. Sutcliffe, J. Ayrton (c), E. Abdelghafar, S. Wallbank, B. Swarbrick, H. Finan, D. Leighton, J. Mayall, D. Hall, J. Macfarlane, C. Ramwell.      Reps:  M. Mount, K. Gledhill, R. Pillow.