Vale of Lune 2nd XV 8 pts v 31 pts Manchester 2nd XV( Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV

Kyron Sharples
Will Kirkham
Tom Greaves
Tom Hopwood
Isaac Thornton
E.J. Marchment
Ben Keenan ©
Dan Clare
Ollie Wilson Sherrington
Ben Dobson
Louis Travis
Ben Moore
Martin Pike
Karan Banga
Will Beeden
Josh Mitten
Tom Fox
Connor Patterson
Matti Short
Stan Rich in reserve.

The Manchester XV arrived at the Vale riding high in the League with Rochdale in close pursuit. It looks as though both will be promoted with one game to play. Manchester at Kendal and Rochdale at Preston Grasshoppers. It will indeed be an interesting last Saturday in the Baines Plumbing League Division One.

Conversely at the foot of the table Vales Stockport fixture next Saturday is vital in the relegation battle. Please note that lads !!!

Once again, it is repetitive isn’t it, a much changed Vale XV was to take to the field. After experiencing a major defeat at the hands of Manchester in the away fixture the realisation was that the game today was going to require a huge effort from this young Vale XV.

Skipper Ben Keenan, what a season he has enjoyed in this side, was keen to get the game started no doubt anxious to put one over the Manchester XV after the severe battering, as experienced earlier in the season.

From the start the Vale side were on the front foot and producing some driving moves through the forwards before a penalty awarded by Referee Steve Ralston was to allow Ben Dobson to put over the first score 3pts to Nil pts to the Vale.

In response even at this early stage the Manchester side as a XV responded and produced some forward drives towards the Vale line. Some gritty defence was required and the front row of Tom Greaves, hooker Will Kirkham and Kyron Sharples were to get involved in the thick of it as the Manchester 8 were moving forward with force. The second row of Tom Hopwood and Isaac Thornton were expending a lot of energy to thwart the Manchester onslaught. Inevitably the Vale line was broken and Manchester crossed to take the lead in the game , with the resultant conversion taking the score to 7 pts to 3 pts.

The back row of E.J. Marchment, Dan Clare and Skipper Ben Keenan were to the fore both in attack and particularly defence. Dan Clare as is the norm is never likely to take a step back and plays the game throughout on the front foot driving into the midst of the Manchester defence.

Isaac Thornton was noticeable in the loose play continually breaking tackles to move the game forward. With him and Tom Hopwood partnering the second row the Vale were always likely to hold their own in the tight phases of the game.

The ability of the Manchester XV was visible and under some pressure the Vale side conceded another try moving to 12 pts to 3 pts in favour of Manchester.

Ollie Sherrington and Ben Dobson were proving to be a sound pairing at half back. Make yourselves available next week for the Final crucial game of the season.

Ben Dobson was enjoying a particularly good game, accurate kicking, making breaks at the appropriate times with pace and always looking for support. He was my Man of the Match !!!!

Outside him Ben Moore and Martin Pike were solid in the middle and Martin Pike was at his elusive best looking for gaps in what was a solid Manchester defence but always probing as he looked to either take the Manchester defence on or provide some accurate passing to Ben Moore his co-partner in the centre.

The wings Travis Bell and Karan Banga were generally in a defensive requirement but as with the whole side their spirit never waivered. Fullback Will Beeden generally under severe pressure was safe and never took a step backwards.

What a difference to the away game and the experience at Grove Park. With more controlled pressure from the Vale pack there could easily have been further tries, Was it twice Referee Ralston stopped the game for ball held up over the line. Was it once or twice from this line pressure that the ball was moved wide only to fail with the pace of the Manchester defence.

Later and again with powerful driving to the Manchester line Tom Fox was able to touch the ball down, deservedly so, for 5 points.

What happened later ?? With Kyron S. Suddenly dashing off the field screaming Eureka, Eureka had he heard he’d won the Grand National or was it Urea, Urea… shit shit. Clearly in all our lives nature calls at the most inopportune moments.

Actually Kieron was enjoying a good game up front.

Lee Starkey manager was to use his replacements cleverly and Matti Short, Tom Fox to score, Connor Patterson were to join the fray.

The Manchester XV were to move their score onwards and with now the wind at their backs were taking control against a never say die Vale XV, each and everyone of them a credit to the Club.

After the overwhelming defeat at Grove Park it was refreshing to see this Vale XV under the leadership of Ben Keenan never take a step backwards against what was and is a talented Manchester XV. They will now move into the Premier League and are looking forward to their Cotton Traders Cup Final at Kendal on 4th May v Preston Grasshoppers 3rd XV.

A crucial game next week v Stockport please make yourselves available !!!