Bright sunshine over Stockport and new warm-up shirts brought hope, energy and optimism. After a good start to the season, the Vale's NW1 campaign had stuttered recently in the face of opposition more familiar with this level. The absence of Clifton, Sutcliffe and Macfarlane required careful management. Adaptable as ever, this facilitated a Vale 1st XV debut for the experienced Craig Procter. The return of Archie Fowler to the pitch was another welcome sight.

After seven minutes of testing each others defensive mettle, the home side broke the impasse with a direct surge up the centre of the pitch. The try under the posts was converted, and the Vale soon stepped up to claim a phase of possession in the Stockport half. An positioning error twenty-five metes out gave Jamie Mayall the penalty chance, and three points were earned.

A morale-sapping interception by the speedy Stockport centre was a cruel reward for such sustained effort. It served as a warning about the accuracy of the Vale's passes. Sutcliffe's absence made lineout possession more difficult to secure, as Sam Walton's intended target was easily identified and challenged.

Jordan Dorrington's electrifying movement with ball-in-hand, woke up the crowd, but Stockport were well drilled in defence and able to contain the threat. Their forward coordination paid off with their second try. A slip of indiscipline suggested some frustration in the Vale ranks. Being marched back ten metres was the inevitable result. In recent times, the Vale had grown used to being allowed to assert themselves, but it was denied them on this occasion. Second row Luke Procter left the field limping, so Mark Goodman came on. Stockport's fourth try came on the stroke of half time, bringing the tally to 26-3.

Billy Swarbrick took up scrum half duties, with Ben Gould moving to full back. Despite gaining ground by hard graft, the Vale were denied on the try line several times by the 'fellow in yellow.' Meanwhile, Stockport kept their possession within the rules and notched up another three tries.

In the final minutes, the Vale were playing for pride alone. There was a 'never give up' attitude which showed in constant pressing and passing into the Stockport twenty-two metre area. Centre Eddie Abdelghafar gave the crowd something to cheer with a consolation try near the left corner, which was converted by Mayall.

The Vale's effort and output matched Stockport's, but the difference between the two sides lay in Stockport's ability to finish moves with points. When they get that element in place, the league points will come. The NW1 league table is becoming two distinct competitions, and the Vale are near the top of the unfashionable one. Next Saturday sees a home fixture against Macclesfield RUFC. Kick off at 3pm.

Team: J. Crompton, M. Bradshaw, T. Butler, S. Wallbank, L. Procter, J. Ayrton (C), S. Walton, J. Lashley, B. Gould, H. Clifton, B. McGarvey, J. Mayall, E. Abdelghafar, J. Macfarlane, J. Dorrington. Reps: B. Swarbrick, M. Goodman, A. Fowler.