In the third meeting of the season between the two clubs the Vale preserved their unbeaten record against Wilmslow to move into a semi final of the BEST Cup where they will face Sedgley Park 2 at Powderhouse Lane on March 17.
Once again the Vale had to manage their game plan without a recognised number ten but skipper Scott Manning boldly stepped into the breach. He set the standard with some determined tackling and forthright running in a most commendable captain’s performance.
The early exchanges again underlined that Wilmslow were a very dangerous, competitive side who, if were given time and space could pose a real threat but it was the Vale who opened the scoring in the eleventh minute.
Throughout the game Vale’s forwards played with their customary vim and vigour and it was following a well controlled drive that Andrew Garnett grounded the ball for a try which Ryan Busby converted.
Cup rugby, when a semi final place beckons can become an absorbing bubble of emotions. A Wilmslow penalty goal only helped to stir the pot and concentrate minds but before the break Ryan Busby kicked a penalty to provide some much needed breathing space.
In the second half Wilmslow were off target with an early penalty in the forty ninth minute. Vale came back strongly and in the fifty fifth minute they went further ahead when James Curran, on his return to the colours after a long absence, efficiently finished off an attack for an unconverted try.
Further daylight was achieved when Sam Hoare blasted his way through tackles with a typically aggressive charge for a try in the sixtieth minute converted by Ryan Busby.
Vale’s final score, in the seventieth minute, was fashioned around the agility, pace and technical skills of Fraser Spavin. The back rower won the ball at a line out in his own half then sprinted through a huge gap to force Wilmslow to turn and chase. Toby Holt tracked his very step and was ideally placed to take Fraser’s pass for a scintillating passage of rugby for a try, Ryan Busby added the conversion.
A mix up in Vale’s defence following a tap penalty from the home side ended with the Cheshire side collecting a converted try. However, the Vale were able to marshal their resources in the closing five minutes to deny Wilmslow any more opportunities.
Despite the odd hiccup it was a deserved victory with the forwards again being the lynch pin and building the foundations. Sam Hoare and Fraser Spavin always posed a threat with their dynamism and could not be ignored. Tony Holt was full of bristling potential, Nathan Manning looked dangerous and Matt Field was his usual reliable composed self.