Rochale 2nd XV v Vale of Lune 2nd XV (Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV

Duncan Ryan
Matti Davenport
James Hesketh
Isaac Thornton
Josh Mitton
Marione
Callum Hall
Eddie Appeleur
Lee Starkey
Jonny Silverwood
Lewis Trowse
James Antcliffe ©
Sam Peters
Finlay Swindlehurst
Henry Connolly

The Rochdale Clubhouse was busy as the Vale lads turned up for their game, with three games at home on the day. Selection and numbers had been an issue during the week and after a lot of time spent in contacting players the Vale side took the field with fifteen players. Dan Rainford, Paul Peters and others had spent hours making contact as the week proceeded.

The Vale side once again, at Rochdale, had to take the field on their top pitch which seems to be a regular occurrence, when visiting their Club. They are one of a few Clubs increasing numbers now moving to four sides on a regular basis.

The necessary introductions were made to each other, as once again there were new faces in the side selected. Today was going to be a time to secure a first win of the season for the 2nd XV but again inevitably there were many changes. Lads we are four games into the season and already the team have involved 44 different players from Saturday to Saturday. Some caused by injury but the majority through unavailability.

Rochdale were indeed a youthful side, but so are we with much potential, as we kicked off into the lower part of the field. The Rochdale pitch slopes to the bottom Clubhouse corner and they with experience used this to some advantage. The Vale also in the second half…

Once again the Vale 8 in the set pieces were in the ascendancy. A solid reliable front row in Duncan Ryan, Matti Davenport – playing every week and improving his game week on week – and the evergreen James Hesketh were causing the Rochdale front three with many problems. In the second row Isaac Thornton and Josh Mitten were proving to be a sound pairing but once again as I see things playing their first games. A new back row of Callum Hall, Eddie Appeleur and Marionne – apologies I didn’t get your full name - were to prove to be a marauding three and causing the Rochdale side with a lot of problems round the field.

Maybe at this juncture and early into this tentative report I might offer the Man of the Match as Callum Hall who was spending his energy round the field and clearly taking the battle to the Rochdale side. There were others close to this early call…

The Vale XV felt sure they could come away from this ground with a victory, but after 15 minutes Rochdale broke through to score 5 points near to the posts with a successful conversion 7 points were posted.

At this stage the first up tackling by the Vale side was causing problems of course a front up missed tackle inevitably puts the side on the back foot.

Subsequent to this score Eddie Appleteur was prominant in a break from the back row making strides up the park to the Rochdale line but unfortunately the side could not cross the line. Continuing from their dominance over the Kendal 8 last week the forwards were heaving the Rochdale 8 back continually, but unknown to us amateur spectators we couldn’t see any reason why the referee might award penalties against them when the Vale eight clearly had an advantage in this phase of the game. A crucial phase in any game.

Behind the scrum Lee Starkey was solid but I’m sure he’d like to show his undoubted pace further away from this area of the game. No scope to show his speed on the park and he has it !!

Jonny Silverwood at fly half was playing a sound game, his first in the side I think, and will I know improve game on game. He is undoubtedly a good player. In the middle Jamie “Skipper” Antcliffe was showing immense strength in the middle ably assisted by Sam Peters. The wings Finlay Swindlehurst and Lewis Trowse were not seeing much of the ball and Finlay did appear to be carrying an injury with his knee being strapped up.

Henry Connolly at fullback at times was put under pressure by some tactical kicking, and at other times he was in the middle mixing it, with the Rochdale side. A Rochdale attack down the slope, incurred a penalty on 36 minutes to take their score to 10 points.

The half time approached and a severe talk was given to the lads emphasising the need to complete their front up tackles. The 10 points on the board with a bit of discipline were there to be overtaken.

A move up the field resulted in Duncan Ryan moving the ball to the Rochdale line and Josh Mitten was on hand to touch it down.

That completed the Vale scoring. At times wrong options were taken and it must be said the blind side must be used certainly in positions close to the oppositions line. One glaring example was seen in front of us lads on the touch where a blind side move would have produced a score but the ball was moved along the line and into the midst of the Rochdale defence.

Earlier in this attempt of a report I mentioned the closeness in the decision to offer the Man of the Match finally naming Callum – he was playing a strong game - but Sam Peters on his recovery from injury was always to the fore in any threequarters moves and his ability to evade and ward off tackles inevitably were causing the Rochdale side problems unfortunately his efforts could not be turned into scores.

Overall, a much improved performance by the Vale XV. We must have a steady side, the numerous changes week on week clearly are causing major issues in understanding and with a settled XV there will be many victories as we move further into the season.

Starting with Waterloo next Saturday …………… Please make yourselves available

Fred Swarbrick