1 Owen Branford Online Systems
2 Harm Dokter Bay Travel
3 Ross Pillow Fatlads Utd
4 Harry Fellows Carpet and Floorcare
5 Adam Foxcroft CM Ferguson Decorating
6 Steve Tagg SJB Tiling Ltd
7 Jack Ayrton Allan Entwistle
8 James Robinson George Dickson
9 Billy Swarbrick Penhale Society
10 Alex Briggs Fine and Country
11 Ike Eastwood Matthews Benjamin
12 Michael Forrest Ron Higgin
13 Andy Powers AJB Electrical
14 Jordan Fern Baines Plumbing & Heating
15 Scott Manning FGH Security
16 James Hesketh
17 Luke Ford
18 Alfie Bolton

Match Sponsor:
Ball Sponsor:
Team Mascot: Oliver Lewis
Referee: Andy Irvine (MCR)

For the second home game in succession Vale of Lune were facing Cambrian opposition with Penrith making their first visit to Powderhouse Lane since September 2015 and since that time the two clubs have ventured down the highways of northern rugby with varying degrees of success and disappointment.

This fixture was literally miles away from the hype generated by the World Rugby Cup there was an absence of Kimono’s, stylized head bands, thundering war drums or resonating gongs, this was very much grass roots, nitty gritty rugby, a microcosm of what was taking place in the Land of the Rising Sun, but dependant on where allegiance’s lay, it was an eventful contest on what had been dubbed “Super Saturday.”

It might have been Saturday Night Fever in the Oita Stadium but for Vale’s supporters it was Saturday Afternoon Torment at The Lane as for the first time in the campaign the Vale failed to pocket any bonus points in what was overall a disjointed performance that contained too many flat spots.

The Pirates of Penrith plundered the points with five unconverted tries and a penalty goal, and if goal kicker, Ed Swale, had not left his boots under his bunk the final total would have heaped further embarrassment on the hosts. Penrith returned back to Winters Park with all the booty, the Jolly Roger flying firmly from the masthead and the words of W S Gilbert very relevant, “It is a glorious thing to be a Pirate King.”

In many ways the Vale contributed to their downfall, there were far too many missed tackles which led directly to tries for comfort, but on the positive side of the disc the pack performed with great credit, all the problems occurred when Penrith moved the wide, a ploy that helped to fill the treasure chest with the lid being lifted early on.

In the third minute Penrith began to fill their click and collect basket when Ed Swale went careering down the left flank but before the Vale could reorganise number eight Josh Dowson was on his way to an unconverted try. Three minutes later Vale’s troubles doubled when winger Fraser Nicholson kicked up his heels to set up an easy looking unconverted try for centre Olly Gutteridge.

These early excursions into Vale’s suspect defensive network would be repeated later in the game but in the meantime the Vale were forced, on the hoof, to stamp their authority, but the direct running, coupled with quick hands from Penrith were much in evidence as the Vale stuttered and scrambled but eventually some control was achieved via the forwards.

As the final quarter drew to a close the pack began to impose themselves. Man of the match, Jack Ayrton, foraged deep into the heart of Penrith territory, he received valuable support from Harry Fellows, Steve Tagg, James Robinson, and Luke Ford as the Vale put together a solid platform. All their efforts were rewarded when Mr Dependable, prop Ross Pillow, grappled his way over from close range for an unconverted try in the twentieth minute.

Penrith’s response was swift and deadly and in the blink of eye they launched a thrilling counter attack that resulted in James Reynolds touching down for another unconverted try that had taken any smiles off their opponent’s faces.

It had been a quick fire opening; unfortunately the Vale had been forced to stand and deliver but with seven minutes remaining they were recovering, all too briefly, some of their assets. Again the forwards were the conduit for their second try. This time it was scrum half Billy Swarbrick, who had shepherd his eight man flock to the line before snatching the ball for a well ordered try converted by centre Michael Forrest.

However, before the Vale’s thoughts could turn towards the half time energy drinks Penrith threw a huge lemon into the mix with their bonus try in the thirty sixth minute. Once again suspect Vale tackling paved the way for another try from Olly Gutteridge who gyrated his merry way through flapping arms.

The half ended with James Hesketh giving a graphic impression of a wrecking ball to put his fellow forwards on the front foot although Penrith held out but they were unable to prevent Billy Swarbrick from arrowing through for a try in the fifth minute of the second half, which Michael Forrest converted to bring the Vale to within one point of Penrith.

Somehow the Vale had groped their way back into contention and their ambitions received another boost when Penrith had two players shown yellow cards but the Vale could not find any cracks in the Cumbrian’s hide. The Vale tried to outmanoeuvre Penrith but as the clock ticked down for those on the naughty chairs their efforts became more frantic while Penrith easily fly swatted away their efforts.

Once back to full strength Penrith tightened their belts to further frustrate the Vale who became increasingly desperate to find another score. Everything became rather academic in the sixty seventh minute when Penrith’s winger Brook Birley exploited Vale’s Achilles’ heel as he roared his way through some unconvincing tackles for a try between the posts.

This was a real blow to Vale’s aspirations they were unable to discover the necessary cohesion to bridge not only the gap but to find the elusive try bonus point. All the angst being felt by their supporters was increased when Ed Swale kicked a penalty goal in the eightieth minute to confirm a third place in the table and end their run of two back to back league defeats.

Many thanks to Tony North for his action packed photographs.
Word by Stuart Vernon.