Normal times for everyone are quickly becoming a distant memory as the pandemic spreads and although the Vale of Lune Rugby Club is a small cog in the scheme of things, there are more important events to concentrate the minds than a review of their season, but the statistics might be of interest, revive memories and provide some food for thought as the lock down regulations tighten.
After the nightmare of a disastrous season in North Premier and the subsequent relegation, the Vale found their stock of experienced players dramatically reduced; some went to pastures new or retired, but a conservative estimate suggested that from the end of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons at least 17 would not be available for the incoming Director of Rugby, Jack Ferguson or a newly appointed Club Coach, Joel Unsworth to work with.
What they did inherit however, was a group of committed players who might have made light of the situation but they put the past behind them and strained every sinew in the pre season training sessions. Slowly but surely the Phoenix began to flap its wings and a squad was assembled for a warm up fixture at Leek, Staffordshire, at the end of August; no mean feat with the cricket season still in full swing and people away on their holidays.
During the season 47 players pulled on a first team jersey which included 12 making their debuts one of them being hooker Harm Dokter who played in all 21 league games. Other players who featured in every game were wing forward, Jack Ayrton, lock Harry Fellows and winger Jordan Fern. Skipper Andy Powers, who popped up on the team sheet at different times as a forward or threequarter, missed one game, as did prop Ross Pillow.
In the high teens of appearances were lock Steve Tagg and threequarter Alex Briggs on 19, back rower James Robinson 17, lock Tom Cvijanovic 17, while scrum half Billy Swarbrick made 14. A large number of forwards played in the majority of the games and they formed the backbone of any Vale squad that emerged from the changing rooms, the problem facing the selectors was a dearth of threequarters and this was reflected in the dragooning of forwards to play in the backs.
Considering all the elements that were thrown into the equation a ninth place in North One West was a laudable achievement. Eight victories were recorded out of the twenty one games completed resulting in a total of 46 match points which included a valuable haul of 14 bonus points. The fore and against point’s column showed a deficit of 28, with 420 points being accumulated made up of 64 tries, 41 conversions and 6 penalties. Alex Briggs was the leading point’s scorer with 87; 3 tries, 27 conversions and 6 penalty goals. Jack Ayrton headed the list of try scorers with 9.
A foreshortened season was not without its memorable moments and one occurred on September 14 when the Vale won at home for the first time, 28-18, against Warrington; their last win at The Lane occurred on 19 January 2019 when they defeated Ilkley, 24-17. Hats were also flung into the air over at Broughton Park at the end of November when the Vale won 22-20, this being the first win on the road since they won at Warrington, 72-24, at the beginning of April 2018.
There was some merit to be found in two defeats, 21-20 at Northwich at the end of December, and in the final fixture at Wilmslow, 7-6, but without a doubt the proudest moment for the club occurred on the Isle of Man at the beginning of March when a Vale team emerged from the changing rooms at Douglas Rugby Football Club.
Considering the massive logistical nightmare that confronted the Vale following the collapse of Flybe who were due to transport the team over to the island it was an emotional moment to see the cherry and whites enter the arena at Port-E-Chee Meadow.
Putting everything into context, naturally the result was of importance but the real winners on the day were the players and back room staff who upheld the traditions which are the bedrock of sport, respect, commitment, a passion for the game which includes taking the rough with the smooth and preserving its integrity; the fixture had to be honoured, end of story as far as the Vale were concerned.
The first weekend in March 2020 is now etched into Vale’s history. Time will distance itself from what transpired, a match report in some dusty archive might bring a glint to some future researcher’s eye but for those players, officials, supporters and a large party on Under 13’s, it was an experience to be cherished.
Coincidentally the following week Douglas had to re-programme their travel arrangements for their fixture at Birkenhead Park but once again any problems were overcome; a Saturday morning ferry docked at Heysham with kick off being moved back to four o’clock at The Upper Park. Douglas went on to suffer a 30-24 defeat but pushed their hosts all the way.
It is extremely unlikely that the 25th Annual Players Awards evening will take place but there are a host of contenders for the First Team Player of the Season. Among the front runners would have been in alphabetical order, Jack Ayrton, Tom Cvijanovic, Harry Fellows, Ross Pillow, Andy Powers and James Robinson all of whom maintained high standards throughout and being forwards ensured that the spine of the side remained strong and rarely buckled.
Because of all the chopping and changing in the back division on a weekly basis caused by injury and unavailability it was hard to for any player to alter dramatically the course of any game but even though Billy Swarbrick was unavailable for seven of the games the number nine must have been in the sights of the judges.
From the opening game of his season Billy Swarbrick emerged butterfly like from a chrysalis but he had a sting of a bee; his quick thinking, pace off the mark, slick transfer of the ball caught the opposition by surprise and with his fellow forwards tuned into his wavelength the number nine became a potent attacking force. In addition he developed into a general behind the scrum, directing operations with increasing authority but still finding time to encourage the newcomers who were thrown into the mix, many at the last minute.
Other threequarters, Alex Briggs and Jordan Fern must have been in the judge’s deliberations, while Jordan Fern had a valid claim for the most improved player of the season. This category has a number of players on the short list. Lock Steve Tagg relinquished his front row duties because of injury problems but he took to the demands of the second row like a duck to water. Hooker Harm Dokter’s all round game improved from day one and he came on leaps and bounds. Also worthy of mention is prop Owen Branford who displayed great dedication throughout. Full back Scott Manning was secure in defence and always a threat going forward, stand-off Harry Finan was an able reader of the game which unfolded before him and threequarter Alfie Bolton quickly adjusted to the demands of first team rugby. Wing forward Blake Snell, in his ten appearances, developed into a lively, quick thinking, no nonsense operator in a back row of throbbing aggression.
A facet of the season was a potpourri of cameo performances from players who were only able to make a limited number of appearances because of injuries or unavailability. Tom Crookall, Michael Forrest, Matt Humpage, all highly talented game changing players picked up injuries, in addition Callum Kyle made an impact in his ten outings. Threequarter Henry Higginson, a young player of immense potential, had to balance his appearances with university studies. Club Captain, prop James Hesketh, a veritable warhorse, showed he had recovered from his shoulder operations to put in some metal jacket performances complete with hitch-kick. And for those who were at Warrington on the first Saturday of New Year who can forget Ryan Busby turning on his retro rockets late in the game to overhaul a Warrington player who looked certain to score a match winning try, his heroics ensued his side a 21-18 victory.
There were some players who only made fleeting appearances courtesy of Joel Unsworth’s contacts. Threequarter Sihalo Benge in his two games collected a try and displayed blistering pace in both his outings, and although short in stature, he tackled low and hard. Callum Grieves in the centre gave an all too brief glimpse of his talents; he also scored a try and put over nine conversions in his two appearances. Prop Vitoria Bianchin played in five games; he was a powerful mobile unit and can be described as a formidable athlete or in his native Italian, “un atleta formidabile.”
The delete button has now been pressed on the results from North One West for 2019/20 but while playing records have been despatched to the wide blue yonder those who plied their trade during the season should not be forgotten; their achievements are not going to be erased and when a new season commences their appearances and points scored will be credited and carried forward and not consigned to a statistical dustbin. Let’s face it; they deserve recognition for their efforts.