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23 NOVEMBER-14 DECEMBER 2019. P13 W5 L8 F395 A411 PTS 31
Stuart Vernon17 May 2020 - 08:50
A testing build up for Christmas but a special present collected at Broughton Park.
Vale set off for Birkenhead Park Vale without their commander in chief beside them in the trenches because Andy Powers was still sidelined with the injury picked up against Wilmslow but included in the squad, to face one of his former clubs was Rhys Randall, who had been heavily involved with the seconds, both on and off the field during their testing season. Prop James Hesketh also returned after missing a couple of games.
In Vale’s tenth game of the season another new name featured in the match programme, winger Sihalo Benge, a real “Billy Whizz” of a player who scored the final try with a dazzling run which was some consolation for the visitors who suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, 43-22. The previous week against Wilmslow, back row forward Blake Snell had made his debut and retained his place.
Initially the forays from both sides suggested that two equally matched units were ranged against each other and such was the situation for an hour when for some reason Vale appeared to run out of puff to allow Park to romp away virtually unchallenged.
Alex Briggs kicked Vale into an eighteenth minute lead with a penalty goal but it was short lived because a Birkenhead counter attack resulted in a converted try. Harry Fellows hot footed it out of defence on a number of occasions and was also at the epicentre of numerous attacks that took play into Park territory. Eventually the defences were breached by Ross Pillow who shepherded over the line by his fellow forwards after a shrewdly taken tap penalty, Alex Briggs put over the conversion before the oranges appeared.
Four minutes into the second half Sihalo Benge produced a magical passage when raced from deep in his own half, Jordan Fern matched him stride for stride to take a pass before slipping the ball to James Robinson, who had loomed up from nowhere for his try which completed a stupendous sequence that was bracketed by Alex Brigg’s conversion.
Park nibbled Vale’s lead to a couple of points with a converted try but as the 60th minute lit up the scoreboard Vale’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. Their misery being compounded as the hosts heaped on them three converted tries and a penalty goal, the only bright spot being the late segment of sorcery from Sihalo Benge.
Prior to the rearranged Broughton Park fixture, Jack Ayrton’s engagement was announced and on the day it was a case of celebrations all round because Vale won their first away game since April 2018 when they won at Warrington, 72-24. Another dormant barrier was smashed at Houghend and although the margin of victory, 22-20, was infinitesimal, who at the end of the day cared? - The deed had been done.
An interesting centre combination was unveiled Andy Powers being paired with Callum Kyle, therefore a formidable portcullis awaited Park if they were able to cross the drawbridge because this duo had the motto “none shall pass,” writ large on their shirts, forcing Broughton to explore other wider avenues.
Scott Manning returned to full back after missing three games; he was strong in defence, always in the right place at the right time and caused the home side problems when he strode out of defence or returned any kicks with a juicy extra slice of interest. But once again the forwards formed the core elements of victory.
Broughton Park made all the early running as Vale struggled to shake off the Birkenhead Park experience, they conceded a try in the third minute and when Vale managed to untangle themselves a rare attack ended in disaster when a pass was intercepted which resulted in another unconverted try.
It had been a punishing opening quarter for the visitors but gradually some cohesion was established via the forwards. Their efforts set up an unconverted try for hooker Harm Dokter, his first of the season. Park marshalled their resources to take the heat out of the situation and in the closing minutes of a half that had been full of whole hearted endeavour from both sides; they tested the Vale’s defence.
Jack Ayrton added extra lustre to his day when he not only triggered his side’s second try with a rocketing thrust but was in the right place at the right time to nail down a try which Alex Briggs converted in the forty second minute. There was no time for back slapping because Vale let their guard slip and were punished immediately by Park with a converted try.
There was a break in the action when a Broughton Park player was shown a red card and a medical emergency on a nearby soccer pitch was attended by both sets of physios. When play resumed man of the match James Robinson robustly raced over for an unconverted try in the fifty eighth minute after Vale had intelligently made maximum use of having an extra player.
A long penalty goal from Park with seventeen minutes remaining provided extra uncertainty but Vale remained composed and they adhered to “Plan A;” control of the set pieces, keeping play tight, supporting the ball carrier and above all maintaining discipline. A textbook single minded forward rumble allowed James Robinson to uncouple himself from the base for an unconverted try.
The closing minutes crackled, the outcome was in the balance, fingers were crossed, lips were pursed and brows were wiped. Scott Manning’s tackle stopped a certain try and Ike Eastwood’s moment arrived when he gymnastically collected the ball and almost scurried away for what could have been phenomenal score. A late Park penalty fell short and when Kieron Henry’s whistle signalled time was up, Vale’s away anguish had come at last to a full stop.
It was not the end however, of collecting wins away from mission control because like the proverbial omnibus there were another three purring away in the depot displaying the towns of Warrington, Keswick and Penrith on their destination boards
Unbeknown to Vale, and the rest of the society for that matter, a global pandemic was shortly to engulf the world and dramatically change lives forever, but in the meantime there were two North One West fixtures to be completed in December, Burnage at home and Northwich away.
Both these clubs were at the pointy end of the league standings, Burnage in third place and Northwich one below them but by the end of the truncated season, caused by the spread of Covid-19, they would have been deemed to have finished first and second respectively. This conclusion was arrived at following a formula devised by the Mathematical Department at the RFU; log tables were dusted down, slide rules greased, calculators charged up to prepare the league tables that would determine the league structure for the 2020/21 season. As was to be expected they generated talking points, some hackles were raised, concerns naturally bubbled to the surface, but at least a decision had been taken in exceptional circumstances.
Burnage were the first to score when former Vale favourite, James Hodder, danced his graceful merry way through a mesmerized defence with run that was full of grace and beauty but as deadly as a scorpion for a converted try. Four minutes later Jordan Fern was perfectly placed to finish off a sandbagging of Burnage’s defence by the forwards with an unconverted try.
These early forward forays set a pattern for the first half Vale wielded the mortar in Burnage’s pestle but were unable to grind out anything substantial for the remainder of the half but fifteen minutes into the second half made a bee line when he zoomed away from a tap penalty but it was another worker from the hive, Jack Ayrton, who dashed over for the try, Alex Briggs topped up the honey pot with his conversion.
A Burnage penalty goal in the fifty fifth minute was followed by a well worked converted try tipped the balance in favour of the visitors; the result was anything but a foregone conclusion because there was still enough time available for Vale to scrape a win. Out came the kitchen sink, dolly tub, mangle, pressure washer but all the resources Vale threw at Burnage were parried away and given short shrift. The Burnage line held firm and they were able to extend their winning run to three games which continued for a further six games before it ended at home against Stockport on February 29.
Plenty to discuss in the bar after the game with the hot topic being how Vale had failed to press home their attacks when they had long periods of possession deep in their opponent’s territory because the game was for Vale’s taking.
Moss Farm, is the idyllic sounding home of Northwich but as far as Vale are concerned it has the aura of “Cold Comfort Farm” because over the years they have discovered something nasty lurking in the woodshed, apart that is from the historic 2017/18 season when they won for the first time since league fixtures began against the two clubs in 2007/08.
A Festive air pervaded the clubhouse, plenty of turkey and trimmings, and the two teams added to the occasion with a glittering, sparkling opening but it was Northwich who unwrapped the first present with an early converted try. Vale were soon dipping into their stocking and following on from a slickly taken tap penalty Henry Higginson, who has real pedigree, walloped his way over for a ninth minute unconverted try.
An experienced Northwich side came more and more into the game during the second quarter to add two converted tries, but the half time break gave Vale the opportunity to formulate their plans. The homework had been well worth it because in the forty third minute Harry Fellows, like a rampaging barrel organ, hit all the right keys for the “Ride of the Valkyries” to add an unconverted try to the score.
Alex Briggs’s penalty goal in the sixty fourth minute only added to Northwich’s discomfort as did a Vale scrum taken against the head, something of a collector’s item in this age of, “Crouch, Bind, Set.” As the game nudged into the final ten minutes the Vale were calling all the shots but Northwich refused to buckle but in the six minutes remaining the latch was lifted with a dramatic score. Shilo Benge, in his second and final game, set off on a compact mesmeric run to set up a try for Billy Swarbrick which Alex Briggs converted with a humongous kick from wide out.
Those two handmaidens, victory and defeat, paraded up and down, but it was a relieved Northwich who picked up the dainty four point glove at the conclusion of what had been an honourable Vale defeat; the whole squad played some of the best rugby of the season, but a losing bonus point was their only reward in a contest where the commitment from both sides twinkled like a Christmas Star atop of the tree.
There was obvious disappointment at the result but the atmosphere on the coach on the way back to HQ was joyously bubbly. The occasion was made extra special when Sihalo stepped up to the microphone and sang the South African National Anthem. Next in line was prop Vitorio Bianchin, who was to make an impact on the field in the New Year, to perform a passionate rendition of the Italian National Anthem.
It was a privilege to be a witness of and to be a part of an emotionally charged event generated by two young men, who were far from home, travelling North on the M6, which linked their two countries to everyone on the coach. It was also a reminder of the world wide fellowship of rugby, whether it is the Rugby World Cup or for those at Level 6; with Christmas just around the corner it was the perfect moment for reflection before the celebrations kicked in.
To be continued.
In Vale’s tenth game of the season another new name featured in the match programme, winger Sihalo Benge, a real “Billy Whizz” of a player who scored the final try with a dazzling run which was some consolation for the visitors who suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, 43-22. The previous week against Wilmslow, back row forward Blake Snell had made his debut and retained his place.
Initially the forays from both sides suggested that two equally matched units were ranged against each other and such was the situation for an hour when for some reason Vale appeared to run out of puff to allow Park to romp away virtually unchallenged.
Alex Briggs kicked Vale into an eighteenth minute lead with a penalty goal but it was short lived because a Birkenhead counter attack resulted in a converted try. Harry Fellows hot footed it out of defence on a number of occasions and was also at the epicentre of numerous attacks that took play into Park territory. Eventually the defences were breached by Ross Pillow who shepherded over the line by his fellow forwards after a shrewdly taken tap penalty, Alex Briggs put over the conversion before the oranges appeared.
Four minutes into the second half Sihalo Benge produced a magical passage when raced from deep in his own half, Jordan Fern matched him stride for stride to take a pass before slipping the ball to James Robinson, who had loomed up from nowhere for his try which completed a stupendous sequence that was bracketed by Alex Brigg’s conversion.
Park nibbled Vale’s lead to a couple of points with a converted try but as the 60th minute lit up the scoreboard Vale’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. Their misery being compounded as the hosts heaped on them three converted tries and a penalty goal, the only bright spot being the late segment of sorcery from Sihalo Benge.
Prior to the rearranged Broughton Park fixture, Jack Ayrton’s engagement was announced and on the day it was a case of celebrations all round because Vale won their first away game since April 2018 when they won at Warrington, 72-24. Another dormant barrier was smashed at Houghend and although the margin of victory, 22-20, was infinitesimal, who at the end of the day cared? - The deed had been done.
An interesting centre combination was unveiled Andy Powers being paired with Callum Kyle, therefore a formidable portcullis awaited Park if they were able to cross the drawbridge because this duo had the motto “none shall pass,” writ large on their shirts, forcing Broughton to explore other wider avenues.
Scott Manning returned to full back after missing three games; he was strong in defence, always in the right place at the right time and caused the home side problems when he strode out of defence or returned any kicks with a juicy extra slice of interest. But once again the forwards formed the core elements of victory.
Broughton Park made all the early running as Vale struggled to shake off the Birkenhead Park experience, they conceded a try in the third minute and when Vale managed to untangle themselves a rare attack ended in disaster when a pass was intercepted which resulted in another unconverted try.
It had been a punishing opening quarter for the visitors but gradually some cohesion was established via the forwards. Their efforts set up an unconverted try for hooker Harm Dokter, his first of the season. Park marshalled their resources to take the heat out of the situation and in the closing minutes of a half that had been full of whole hearted endeavour from both sides; they tested the Vale’s defence.
Jack Ayrton added extra lustre to his day when he not only triggered his side’s second try with a rocketing thrust but was in the right place at the right time to nail down a try which Alex Briggs converted in the forty second minute. There was no time for back slapping because Vale let their guard slip and were punished immediately by Park with a converted try.
There was a break in the action when a Broughton Park player was shown a red card and a medical emergency on a nearby soccer pitch was attended by both sets of physios. When play resumed man of the match James Robinson robustly raced over for an unconverted try in the fifty eighth minute after Vale had intelligently made maximum use of having an extra player.
A long penalty goal from Park with seventeen minutes remaining provided extra uncertainty but Vale remained composed and they adhered to “Plan A;” control of the set pieces, keeping play tight, supporting the ball carrier and above all maintaining discipline. A textbook single minded forward rumble allowed James Robinson to uncouple himself from the base for an unconverted try.
The closing minutes crackled, the outcome was in the balance, fingers were crossed, lips were pursed and brows were wiped. Scott Manning’s tackle stopped a certain try and Ike Eastwood’s moment arrived when he gymnastically collected the ball and almost scurried away for what could have been phenomenal score. A late Park penalty fell short and when Kieron Henry’s whistle signalled time was up, Vale’s away anguish had come at last to a full stop.
It was not the end however, of collecting wins away from mission control because like the proverbial omnibus there were another three purring away in the depot displaying the towns of Warrington, Keswick and Penrith on their destination boards
Unbeknown to Vale, and the rest of the society for that matter, a global pandemic was shortly to engulf the world and dramatically change lives forever, but in the meantime there were two North One West fixtures to be completed in December, Burnage at home and Northwich away.
Both these clubs were at the pointy end of the league standings, Burnage in third place and Northwich one below them but by the end of the truncated season, caused by the spread of Covid-19, they would have been deemed to have finished first and second respectively. This conclusion was arrived at following a formula devised by the Mathematical Department at the RFU; log tables were dusted down, slide rules greased, calculators charged up to prepare the league tables that would determine the league structure for the 2020/21 season. As was to be expected they generated talking points, some hackles were raised, concerns naturally bubbled to the surface, but at least a decision had been taken in exceptional circumstances.
Burnage were the first to score when former Vale favourite, James Hodder, danced his graceful merry way through a mesmerized defence with run that was full of grace and beauty but as deadly as a scorpion for a converted try. Four minutes later Jordan Fern was perfectly placed to finish off a sandbagging of Burnage’s defence by the forwards with an unconverted try.
These early forward forays set a pattern for the first half Vale wielded the mortar in Burnage’s pestle but were unable to grind out anything substantial for the remainder of the half but fifteen minutes into the second half made a bee line when he zoomed away from a tap penalty but it was another worker from the hive, Jack Ayrton, who dashed over for the try, Alex Briggs topped up the honey pot with his conversion.
A Burnage penalty goal in the fifty fifth minute was followed by a well worked converted try tipped the balance in favour of the visitors; the result was anything but a foregone conclusion because there was still enough time available for Vale to scrape a win. Out came the kitchen sink, dolly tub, mangle, pressure washer but all the resources Vale threw at Burnage were parried away and given short shrift. The Burnage line held firm and they were able to extend their winning run to three games which continued for a further six games before it ended at home against Stockport on February 29.
Plenty to discuss in the bar after the game with the hot topic being how Vale had failed to press home their attacks when they had long periods of possession deep in their opponent’s territory because the game was for Vale’s taking.
Moss Farm, is the idyllic sounding home of Northwich but as far as Vale are concerned it has the aura of “Cold Comfort Farm” because over the years they have discovered something nasty lurking in the woodshed, apart that is from the historic 2017/18 season when they won for the first time since league fixtures began against the two clubs in 2007/08.
A Festive air pervaded the clubhouse, plenty of turkey and trimmings, and the two teams added to the occasion with a glittering, sparkling opening but it was Northwich who unwrapped the first present with an early converted try. Vale were soon dipping into their stocking and following on from a slickly taken tap penalty Henry Higginson, who has real pedigree, walloped his way over for a ninth minute unconverted try.
An experienced Northwich side came more and more into the game during the second quarter to add two converted tries, but the half time break gave Vale the opportunity to formulate their plans. The homework had been well worth it because in the forty third minute Harry Fellows, like a rampaging barrel organ, hit all the right keys for the “Ride of the Valkyries” to add an unconverted try to the score.
Alex Briggs’s penalty goal in the sixty fourth minute only added to Northwich’s discomfort as did a Vale scrum taken against the head, something of a collector’s item in this age of, “Crouch, Bind, Set.” As the game nudged into the final ten minutes the Vale were calling all the shots but Northwich refused to buckle but in the six minutes remaining the latch was lifted with a dramatic score. Shilo Benge, in his second and final game, set off on a compact mesmeric run to set up a try for Billy Swarbrick which Alex Briggs converted with a humongous kick from wide out.
Those two handmaidens, victory and defeat, paraded up and down, but it was a relieved Northwich who picked up the dainty four point glove at the conclusion of what had been an honourable Vale defeat; the whole squad played some of the best rugby of the season, but a losing bonus point was their only reward in a contest where the commitment from both sides twinkled like a Christmas Star atop of the tree.
There was obvious disappointment at the result but the atmosphere on the coach on the way back to HQ was joyously bubbly. The occasion was made extra special when Sihalo stepped up to the microphone and sang the South African National Anthem. Next in line was prop Vitorio Bianchin, who was to make an impact on the field in the New Year, to perform a passionate rendition of the Italian National Anthem.
It was a privilege to be a witness of and to be a part of an emotionally charged event generated by two young men, who were far from home, travelling North on the M6, which linked their two countries to everyone on the coach. It was also a reminder of the world wide fellowship of rugby, whether it is the Rugby World Cup or for those at Level 6; with Christmas just around the corner it was the perfect moment for reflection before the celebrations kicked in.
To be continued.
Further reading