Ever since the draw was made there has been an ever growing tingle of excitement and anticipation that tend go hand in hand with a knock out competition in particular those that will be decided on the day, no replays, or two legged affairs, simply a case of the last team standing at the end, although should the result be tied then the rule book will have to be thumbed through, a situation that always brings added drama because no one is one hundred percent sure of the regulations.

On thing was certain was that these two teams knew what they facing. At the end of the Bateman BMW Premier League which finished in December and reverted to a conference format, Chester finished in fourth place, the Vale of Lune in seventh; Chester having won the league meeting 19-18 at Hare Lane.

Chester moved into Conference A where they occupy fourth place, while the Vale sit proudly on top of Conference B. In the Cup the Vale inflicted the season's first defeat on Sedgley Park, winning 21-20 at Park Lane. This was followed by another win on the road at Stockport, 12-8. Chester won their first round game at home against Macclesfield, 43-21 and then away at Birkenhead Park, 31-5.

So the stage was set for an intriguing tie, a special match programme had been printed, and what a corker it turned out to be between two committed sides. It had all the elements associated with a sporting contest, sublime skills, errors, determination, drama, players who were giving their all, with the whole game played in a commendable spirit, no hissy fits, respect for the opposition and for the match officials, all these factors made the eighty minutes fly by.

The game itself started at a rattling pace. An opening sweeping Vale attack was matched by an equally impressive Chester counter from deep when Vale's move broke down. In the fourth minute the Vale took the lead with a neatly taken try from Charlie Lomas after stand off Neil Walker had angled a tantalising kick over the heads of the Chester defenders. Winger Lomas calmly controlled the ball with some deft footwork before touching it down for an unconverted try.

Vale could not afford to sit on their laurels because they were put under immediate pressure by Chester's forwards who chewed their way deep into Vale territory. From a five metre line out the Vale were unable to contain the ensuing maul and conceded an unconverted try.

The heartbeat of the game did not slacken off and in the thirteenth minute, after the Vale had forced the visitors onto the back foot, flanker Tom Crookall touched down for a try converted by Neil Walker. Vale's well organised pack began to take control in the sets, winning two early balls against the head and although a stray dog scampered across the pitch the Vale did not require any canine advice on how to use the wide open spaces.

A surging solo run from wing forward Michael Barker split Chester's defence for an unconverted try in the twenty fourth minute. Seven minutes later Vale extended their lead with another unconverted try when winger James Alker neatly crossed the whitewash after pouching an audacious, back of the hand, flipped pass, from the busy Jamie Antcliffe.

Trailing by nineteen points Chester continued to pose a threat and with the half drawing to a close they pincered the Vale deep inside their twenty two. Suddenly the Vale lost their cohesion as the heat was turned up.

Lock Adam Foxcroft was shown a yellow card, Chester opted for a scum at the resultant penalty and then proceeded to trundle the Vale back towards their line. With Vale in disarray and struggling to prevent a score by fair means or foul referee Kimber, who controlled the game with quiet authority, was fully aware of what was going on and awarded Chester a penalty try which was duly converted.

Despite being a player short the Vale began the second half adventurously. Scrum half Ollie Dobson astutely kicked deep into Chester's half and just as Neil Walker appeared to have broken clear he had the ball swiped from his grasp.

Once back to full strength the Vale cranked up the volume but could not afford to leave their back door unlocked because Chester always posed a threat.

Vale moved smoothly through the gears in the build up to their fifth try in the sixty second minute. Full back Scott Manning, Tom Cvijanovic, plus man of the match, the indestructible Joe Clarkson, all played their part, but it was hooker Simon Harrison who topped and tailed an accomplished personal performance with a try converted by Neil Walker with a superb kick.

Even though the Vale lost the services of one of their pocket battleships in the shape of Tom Crookall with a gash on the head they continued to play with a healthy dash of excitement, no showboating, swaggering or over elaboration, but there was genuine hunger for more points.

The host's final try came in the seventy second minute, simple but gracefully executed. Scott Manning kicked deep, Ollie Dobson hared after the ball, his intuition and pace being rewarded with a five pointer which was converted by Neil Walker with a monster kick from wide out on the right.

Chester had the last word with a deserved try with four minutes remaining, the conversion thwacked against an upright but rebounded back infield to end what had been a thoroughly engrossing contest.

Individually the Vale have some talented players within their ranks but what shines through is their collective spirit. Throughout the game players were talking to each other, congratulating each other and offering commiserations when the occasional error was made, it was fitting that the six tries that were scored were shared equally between forwards and threequarters. Skipper Dan Rainford can indeed be proud of his troops.

The success of the North West Intermediate Rugby Union Leagues and the associated cup competitions should never be underestimated or taken for granted. This was reflected after the game when Chester's team manager, Andy McAdam, made a beeline to shake League Secretary Reg Robinson's hand for all his efforts and involvement in the administration of the leagues, a gesture that was repeated by a number of Chester players as they made their way to the changing rooms. This was a genuine and heartfelt thank you, so sincere, in an age where the concept of sportsmanship can appear under threat.

Vale now face Preston Grasshoppers 2nds, who defeated Sandbach 56-0 at Lightfoot Green, in the final at Sandbach on May 2, but in the meantime they will be going all out to regain their top spot in Conference B after being deposed by Stockport 2 while they were in action against Chester, beginning at Broughton Park on Saturday.