Vale of Lune secure maximum points in Northwich victory

Monday, 24 November 2025 08:09

By Barry Lees

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 36 - 12 Northwich

The rain held off as Winter was poised to bite. The skies over Powder House Lane hung heavily. However, overcast and damp conditions allow rugby to flourish, and on this particular Saturday, all of the requisite factors were in place.

This NW2 clash of similarly placed sides had the makings of a close one. Injury kept prop Archie Fowler on the sidelines, so the adaptable Joe Crompton took the controls in the front row.

Referee Grant Armstrong officiated at his first visit to the Vale, and from his whistle, the Vale poured forward with confidence. Centre Jamie Mayall and stand-off Kurt Gledhill cut swathes through the Northwich defence, taking play into the visitors' five metre area. Denied a try, Mayall opened the Vale's tally with a penalty kick from the twenty-two line.

Against the run of play, Northwich made their first incursion count with a try in the right corner. Undeterred, the Vale's backs exploited gaps in the Northwich lines, forcing errors and gaining ground in stagesA driving maul, marshalled over the line by Harm Dokter, restored the lead and Mayall's boot found the space between the uprights.

Full back Ryan Busby tore through for a thrilling forty metre blast. Brought down five metres from glory, No.8 Sam Wallbank steamed in to claim the ball and the second try. At the break, the Vale lead Northwich by 17 points to 5.

The second half began with the Vale on fire with energy. Soon another driving maul try by Dokter near the left corner brought a try, and Mayall was denied by the post with his conversion attempt.

Damon Hall entered the fray and brought with him his incomparable skills to electrify the spectators. Despite being under the cosh, Northwich kept up their output, and their strength in the scrums generated sufficient momentum for a second try in the right corner.

A break from half way by Hall, set up Billy Swarbrick to pass to Jack Ayrton to power home under the posts. Fresh legs of finishers George Oyston and Eddie Abdelghafar raised the game toward a big finish.

It came on the left flank, with Ayrton making the crucial space for Abdelghafar to collect and accelerate for the Vale's fifth. Hall added the extra two, and the maximum league points were secured.

The talents of the Vale backs as individuals were on show throughout the afternoon, but the forwards were also coordinated and effective against a bigger pack. At the heart of everything, captain Jack Ayrton was anointed Man-of-the-Match.

Thirty league points before the end of November is a fine return for the work of this collective of 'eighteen mates,' giving their all for their club, their town and each other. A trip to Birkenhead Park next Saturday sees the Vale as favourites. This league is still wide open.

Team: J. Crompton, H. Dokter, M. Bradshaw, H. Fellows (c), J. Sutcliffe, S. Walton, S. Wallbank, J. Ayrton (c), B. Swarbrick, K. Gledhill, J. McFarlane, A. Bolton, J. Mayall, D. Leighton, R. Busby. Reps: D. Hall, G. Oyston, E. Abdelghafar.

Here are some images from the game. All photos by Tony North.

Vale's Billy Swarbrick clears from the scrum