The seconds and Preston Grasshoppers were facing each other for the third time this season and on each occasion the Lightfoot Green outfit has been boosted by new editions of strong, mobile forwards who made life difficult for Vale’s lightweight pack.
Once again the seconds faced powerful opponents but they produced another plucky performance not only stepping up to the plate but many clambering up to a higher level. Fraser Spavin had another inspirational game, combing his duties as skipper with a most purposeful and dedicated performance. Josh Lea at prop battled hard in testing circumstances, Matt Field played himself to a standstill, while Richard Hodgson was his usual bundle of aggressive energy.
In the backs Charlie Lomas and Harry Finan at nine and ten respectively formed an intelligent pairing, Lee Starkey searched for work but it was not a day for the backs to cut loose because all their energies were concentrated on ensuring that Preston did not run riot.
With rain falling at a steady jersey soaking rate Vale opened the scoring with a third minute penalty goal from Harry Finan but unfortunately the young fly half was off target with a couple of efforts later in the half.
Hoppers were quickly into the saddle with a try in the sixth minute from their left winger which was converted from a difficult angle. Twenty minutes later Preston’s right winger got in on the act with a try wide out which was converted to end the first half scoring.
Vale were to be congratulated to restricting the visitors to only a couple of scores but in the fifty third minute the Preston eight selected four wheel drive to trundle the Vale over their line for a converted try. Hoppers right winger collected a second try which was not converted and in the final move of the game the Vale were again heaved over their line for a converted try.
On Saturday the seconds travel to Sale in the opening game of their Cotton Traders Championship Conference B campaign, at the end of November the seconds won at Heywood Road, 36-17 to avenge an earlier home defeat 57-28.