While general election fever and fervour gripped the country Vale of Lune seconds and their supporters were in their own bubble of intensity, ardour and zeal at Bradwall Road, home of Sandbach Rugby Club, for their BEST Cup final against long standing rivals, Preston Grasshoppers seconds at the climax of final's day of this long standing and prestigious competition.

Since the Vale qualified for the final by defeating Chester 2 on March 12 the wait, at least on paper, has been drawn out but they have channelled all their competitive energies trying to secure top spot in Conference B, unfortunately eventually falling at the final hurdle over at Birkenhead Park.

The intervening weeks have provided the opportunity to help injuries to heal, a chance to focus on the task in hand and to gee the players up for on last hurrah in Cheshire against formidable opponents.

Alas Vale's second team's dream of lifting the BEST Cup ended at Sandbach when despite a gallant performance they were unable to prevent a slick, pacey, well organised Preston Grasshoppers squad, which contained a number of talented young players whose potential was quite stunning, from securing the trophy.

Team manager Tony Gilmour selected the strongest team available, once again injuries and unavailability had to be factored in but the eventual team sheet contained a majority of those players who a had played a major part in the team's success throughout the season. One player who was missing because he picked up an injury earlier in the week was threequarter Jamie Antcliffe, a huge disappointment for this popular player who has been an integral part of the team throughout the campaign.

As was to expected in a challenging game not one of the twenty named players shirked their responsibilities. Yet again Danny Lin produced an outstanding performance ably supported by his fellow back row forward the indestructible Joe Clarkson and Tom Cvijanovic, a player who has improved immeasurably over the season.

Lock forward Adam Foxcroft literally played himself to a standstill as did his second row partner, Dan Rainford. Skipper Olly Cowey was an inspiration for those around him, refusing to let any heads drop. In the backs, centre Tom Crookall always posed a threat, Ben Dorrington took on the role of scrum half with his usual brand of determination and hard nosed realism, full back Kieron Doyle offered some genuine flair and in a reshuffle Simon Wilson proved very capable when he took on the role of full back, but overall it was a true team performance with all the combatants in cherry and white fully deserving the applause when the stepped forward to receive their medals.

On a cold, breezy, damp, May day in Cheshire, the Vale made the prefect start, when stand off Neil Walker, who worked the line well, kicked a penalty goal in the third minute. Playing down the incline, Tom Crookall burst through a number of tackles as the Vale pinned Hoppers down. The danger posed by Preston's threequarters was underlined when a quick fire counter attack ended in a penalty which was kicked in the eight minute.

A try followed from Preston three minutes later when their pack laid the groundwork for an unconverted try. Vale continued to attack and apply pressure. Neil Walker saw a penalty drift wide of the target in the twenty second minute but Preston's defence proved equal to the task.

Disaster struck for the Vale when a sweeping attack broke down just outside Preston's twenty two. The ball was pounced on by Preston's right centre who raced away unopposed for a solo try which was converted in the twenty fourth minute.

With their tails up Preston hammered away at Vale's line with a barrage of attacks from all points on the compass, but the Vale's defence was stupendous, with one relieving kick from Dorrington sending the ball seventy metres downfield before bouncing into touch.

The second forty started badly for the Vale when a grave error in their defence let in Preston for a soft try which was converted inside the opening minute. Despite a rocky opening the Vale regrouped, although they had to endure a near constant battering from the Hoppers, who must have had their sights firmly fixed on posting a large total.

However, the Vale showed resolve, they were quick to close down Preston's enterprise at close quarters, but they were unable to put together any sustained passages of rugby to break the pattern that was evolving. One rare Vale excursion into Preston territory ended with Hoppers producing the try of the game when the ball was moved at pace from their own twenty two. Sublime, accurate passing, at a rich tempo, ended with an unconverted try, which on its completion brought forth a deserved ovation from both camps; a try worthy to grace any final.

With three minutes of proper time remaining the Vale collected the try that their efforts, in a testing environment, fully deserved. From a tap penalty Dan Rainford, another second team stalwart, crashed over for a try to climax what had been a massive season from the big hearted lock forward.

The agony of defeat, but not for too long, was etched on the Vale players faces at the final whistle, but they can walk tall after a season where character, team work, commitment had been tested to the full. It must be remembered that the Bateman BMW Premier League and the Best Cup is made up of an abundance of top notch second teams that are brimming with talent, undisputed facts that need to factored in when assessing Vale of Lune's second team's achievements.

Traditionally the Vale party were last to leave Sandbach's clubhouse, and despite the defeat, the coach was full of warmth and comradeship, toasts were drunk at the end of what had been a defining season, songs sung with gusto, games played, initiation ceremonies conducted, in a spontaneous, evocative atmosphere that encapsulated the solidarity of the second team.