Squint-inducing sunshine cast long shadows across the manicured green expanse at Powder House Lane. With the Vale 1st, 2nds, 3rds and Under 9s all in action, the atmosphere was befitting a festival. Full marks go to the catering team.

Last week, Sandbach replaced the Vale at the head of the NW2 table, so this match was about bragging rights as well as mere league points. From Mr Everett's whistle, Vale claimed possession and surged into the Sandbach half. Snappy passing brought the threat to the five metre line, where Vale stand-off Harry Finan took the defenders by surprise with a chip-and-chase try to open the scoring. Jamie Mayall added the extra two and the game and the challenge was made. Sandbach replied with equal determination. Their scrum half, Lawrie Essenhigh, swept up an unguarded ball to equalise under the posts.

The Vale made a rapid response. A passing move up the left flank resulted in Jack McFarlane steaming in to retake the lead. As before, Sandbach fired back, this time with a cohesive forward phase to cross the line. A 50/20 clearance into the Vale's twenty-two metre area gave the Cheshire men the chance to take a quick throw in. This caught the Vale napping, and the sharper Sandbach winger Elliot Morris sprinted in to give the lead to Sandbach.

It lasted only two minutes, as the Vale applied their lineout/driving maul party-piece for Harm Dokter to nudge the Vale ahead once more. An ambitious long pass out to the Vale's left side, was snatched out of the air by Sandbach. A sixty metre dash ensued and the half time score reached 21 - 26 to Sandbach.

The visitors opened the second half with a penalty kick following an unacceptable impediment to their maul on the Vale's twenty two. It was anybody's game for a while, until the Sandbach left winger chased a lost cause, charged down a clearance kick attempt and scored their fifth try. The Vale were under the cosh and unable to repel the menace as they had in the first half.

Sandbach's confidence grew as their lively No. 9 put on a show with another interception and long sprint under the posts. The final Sandbach try completed Essenhigh's hattrick. League spoils were allocated and Sandbach now sit pretty at the top.

The Vale have now clearly seen what they are up against in this division this season. In simple terms, the Vale made mistakes that Sandbach did not. The Vale will no doubt analyse their performance during the week, and some changes may well be considered for the trip to Altrincham Kersal next Saturday. Kick off at 3pm.

(Matchday sponsors: Cavalier Financial Solutions. Ball sponsors: Blend Accountants.)

Team: A. Fowler, H. Dokter, J. Crompton, H. Fellows, J. Sutcliffe, S. Wallbank, J. Ayrton (c), E. Abdelghafar, J. Batty, H. Finan, J. McFarlane, A. Bolton, J. Mayall, D. Leighton, R. Busby. Reps: M. Bradshaw, G. Oyston. K. Gledhill.

Vale second row, Fellows and Sutcliffe in close support for Harry Finan. (Photo by Tony North.)