Birkenhead Park 2nd XV 53 pts v 48 pts Vale 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV

Tom Greaves
James Hesketh
Duncan Ryan
Shane Stewart
Marrion Fennels
Sam McCleamet
Ben Keenan
Josh Sutcliffe
Dave Minnikin
James Ant
Mark Bower
Stan Rich
Ryan Busby
Tom Fox
Lou Brisco
David Penrice
Kev Sharple

Management on the Day a vital part of the proceedings :- Matt Bennett, Lee Starkey, Neil Sutcliffe

It’s a long way to Birkenhead from Lancaster but the Vale management had worked their proverbial socks off to get a side out and prepared for the trip to Birkenhead Park. An old famous Club in days of yore and before League Rugby was even thought about, Birkenhead Park would not offer us a fixture at any level. How things changed in the 80’s many will remember !!

We, Cliff Huck and myself arrived late, after setting the Sat. Nav. in French, Pardon Monsieur ?? and already the Vale XV (on the day) were preparing for the game under the watchful eyes of managers Matt Bennett and Lee Starkey. The pitch was NOT green and had obviously suffered a lot of wear and was indeed virtually bare of grass. Oh, for the green swathes of PowderHouse Lane. What a wonderful job the Vales’ grounds team do in preparing our grounds !!!

To the game. Once again,

Pretty repetitive ain’t it… A much changed side had prepared for the game which involved changes even up to the Saturday morning of the game. Come on lads !!! Two vital home games to go in the fight against relegation ….

The game kicked off in bright sunlight after the conditions experienced during the week, but a strong wind in Vales favour could well cause many errors.

Skipper Jamie Antcliffe kicked off with a most accurate kick which augured well for the game he was going to play.

The opening minutes were simply a matter of testing each other out, but in a movement covering the full width of the field the Park side scored in the Clubhouse corner. 5 points with a successful conversion taking the score to 7 points this in the opening 10 minutes. Their goal kicker was indeed a good experienced kicker, and was to convert I think 100% of their tries scored from any position throughout the game.

A penalty awarded to Vale allowed Ryan “Buzza” to post 3 points. He was to enjoy a terrific game always looking for gaps in attack and no mean defender either.

On 20 minutes following a flowing Vale attack involving the Vale threequarters, linking up with Anks, crossed the Park line. Buzza converted the try scored by Dave Minnikin taking the Vale into a slender lead 10 pts to 7 points.

Dave Minnikin was enjoying a good game at scrum half, Jamie outside him was in an aggressive mood and always taking the game into the midst of the Park defence.

Outside Jamie, Stan Rich a player of great ability was to enjoy a good game again both in defence and attack, outside him Buzza was his usual elusive self but with great pace.

The two wings on the day Mark Bower, we know Mark shows some pace out in the open field and Tom Fox on the opposite wing clearly has great potential.

At full back Lou Brisco now a regular in the side is a most elusive player and at all times makes ground.

The Vale pack were holding their own in the tight phases of the game and after a strong driving move the ball was fed to the threequarters allowing Stan Rich to cross for a try. He was enjoying a great game once again. Inevitably converted by Buzza..,. 17 pts to 7 pts Vale.

The game was to change dramatically. Dave Minnikin was to leave the field with a serious ankle injury and Marion Fennel left the field with a nagging ham string injury affecting his game throughout the season.

Buzza took over at scrumhalf and Kev Sharple moved into the pack. These disruptions inevitably affected the side and on 35 minutes Park were to cross for a 7 pointer to move them in touch with the Vale XV at 17 pts to 14 pts to the Vale.

A further try moved Park into the lead at 21 pts to 17 points. A fightback was required and the Vale pack under the leadership of evergreen James Hesketh were ready for the fight. Unfortunately and after a number of errors the Park side were to cross again taking their score to 31 pts to 17 pts in their favour.

Hell the fight back was on and needed !! The front row of Hesky and Tom Greaves along with Duncan Ryan were clearly holding their own in the tight phases of the game. The second row partnership od Shane Stewart and now Kev Sharples was to make themselves felt and Shane was taking a number of clean balls in the lineout.

The “young” back row of Josh Sutcliffe, watch Josh he is good, Ben Keenan again supplying the most accurate of feeds to scrum half Buzza and Sam McCleamet sorry Sam new to me, were showing great energy round the field both in defence and attack.

David Penrice play anywhere any time had now taken the field. A true Vale stalwart.

At 31pts to 17 pts against it appeared the game was out of reach for the Vale XV. Not to be Mark Bower was to cross for the Vale with a Buzza conversion taking the Vale within reach.

The Referee on the day awarded the Vale a penalty try and the game was on. Vale now withing three points of the Park score. The tension off the Park was visible. A 100 % supporter of the side Neil S. was asked to move behind the railing. Hell !! It was tense after looking down and out the Vale side were in touch.

The score now so close but in the closing phases of the game the Park XV re-grouped and

It was not to be as the Park side recovered their composure.

Forgive me by that time I had lost all knowledge of the score only to find the gallant Vale XV had moved withing 5 points, the final score being 53pts to 48 pts to Birkenhead Park or that is what was recorded

This moved Park above Vale in the League Table and the Vale XV are now in touch of the relegation zone. Two games to play, two home game, Please make yourselves available for these games we are NOT going down !!!

Got to give the M.O.M. award to Skipper Jamie Antcliffe, non stop for the whole 80 minutes. It was close Ryan “Buzza” Busby showing much pace and always involved provided, apart from his scoring, so much for the Vale side. Outside him Stan Rich provides a real presence in the Vale midfield and is always a threat in any phase of the game.

Individually the Vale side indeed possesses players of obvious ability the only problem is they play as individuals, with a consistent selection need they could well begin to play as a team. They would then be so …. Successful..

Two home games to go lads availability needs are vital !!!