Vale of Lune 2nd XV 28 pts v 5 pts Rochdale 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV. today

1, Marrione Fewez

2. Matt Davenport

3. James Hesketh

4. Adam Foxcroft

5. Isaac Thornton

6. Calum Hall

7. Isacc Turton

8. Sam Wallbank

9. Josh Wyke

10. Richard Chadwick

11. Ben Keeghan

12. James Antcliffe

13 Stan Rich

14. James Stone

15. Dan Leighton

16. Duncan Ryan

17. Josh Sutcliffe (Colt)

A real pleasure to be back to some Rugby after the holiday break. A Happy New Year to all involved in the game not only playing but the administration team behind.

The Rochdale side were, and are riding high in this Baines Plumbing Division One League with in fact only one defeat to the present time. But this is 2014 and the Vale had a most experienced competitive XV selected for this important game, filled with a great degree of youth.

This return game reflected the game recently experienced away at Rochdale. The Vale XV on top in many phases in the previous game creating winning positions whilst also being dominant in the away game but failing to translate the dominance into a winning result.

If only lads you could make yourselves available every week then we would be riding high at the top of this League, in fact what is proving to be a most competitive League.

Please make yourselves available !!

The game itself !!. In the initial stages the Rochdale XV were clearly on top and pressing continuously on the Vale line. Some strong defence was required to keep them at bay and a number of lads were to the fore. The front row of Marione Fonez, Matt Davenport and the indefatigable James Hesketh were involved in some powerful defensive work. Behind them Adam Foxcroft the most experienced of players – the side need him every week – alongside Isaac Thornton were involved in some close defensive work. What a back row in lace essentially required at this phase of the game. Callum Hall, Isaac Turton and Sam Wallbank working damned hard to keep the marauding Rochdale XV out, although inevitably the pressure being exerted inevitably would lead to a try. A 5 pointer, this to be their only score of the game !!

The 2nd XV are becoming a side to be watched !!Josh Wyke was probably playing his best game for many weeks (years) accurate passing to his half back partner Richard Chadwick allowing him the space to create many attacking breaks continually putting the Rochdale side on the back foot.

After the initial pressure created by the Rochdale XV the Vale moved to an attacking phase. And Dan Leighton from fullback crossed for a try – he was enjoying an excellent game- with Richard Chadwick converting.

7 pts to 5 pts Vale !!!

The game moved into a non-productive phase but as has been the case dare I say in every game to date the Vale 8 have been on top. Completely dominant in the set scrum phases.

On 35 minutes and after some direct running into the Rochdale defence Callum Hall crossed for 5 points turned into 7 points with Richard Chadwicks boot. The Vale were at this stage on a roll. Along with Callum Sam Wallbank was enjoying a most physical game brushing the Rochdale defence to one side as he attacked up the middle of the park. Isaac Turton enjoying a most productive game – come on Isaac the side needs you every week – and of course Callum.

14 pts to 5 pts Vale !!!

The Vale on the turn round now had the Winter sunlight at their backs and had a clear advantage in this respect. Josh W. and Richard C. directing things from half back and outside them two centres who were clearly superior to their opposites. As previous Jamie improves every game in his dotage – hope that’s not an insult Jamie !! – and Stan Rich who crossed for a try to take the score to 21 pts. What a presence in the centre Stan Rich he must play every week.,.

I make Stan Rich the Man of the Match. You’ll realise inevitably I always go for a forward but today Stan Rich was indeed so impressive in the middle of the park. Stan make yourself available every week.

On the wings James Stone and Ben Keenan were showing so much pace adding to the tremendous ability of the Vale XV as a whole. This Vale XV must keep together as a XV every week. At this stage Managers Paul Peters and Matt Bennett brought on Duncan Ryan and Josh Sutcliffe into the fray. A massive physical presence Duncan Ryan along with Josh Sutcliffe still indeed a colt. He supported by his mother and Father Neil as he took to the field. Another Sutcliffe in the Vale fold, there have been many…..

Back to the game after a considerable amount of pressure, the player offering so much to the power of the Vale 8 James Hesketh crossed for a try. The pundits on the line suggested it was from 30 yards or should that be metres. No it was from 3 feet or should that be One Metre.

Whatever it clinched the win against a side who had only tasted a defeat once to the present day.

Come on the 2nd XV stick together home and away and we can move into the higher echelons o this Baines Plumbing Division One League.

Fred Swarbrick….