** To clarify if I may. The Vale 1st XV play in the Pappa John Cup organised by the RFU (Vale v Morley next Saturday in the first round.

The Vale 2nd and 3rd XVs play in the Barry Allen Memorial Cup Competitions organised by the North West Leagues Committee. The 2nds in the second tier the Jug Competition and the 3rds in the 4th tier the Bowl Competition. There are 7 tiers….

The 2nds play in a group of three which includes Glossop, Rochdale and ourselves at 2nd XV level. The winner of that Group proceeds to the semi final there are 4 groups. The 3rds play in a straight knock out having won yesterday 36 pts to 0pts v Preston Grasshoppers they now move to Aldwinians 3rds next Saturday in the second round.

The Finals will be held at The Leigh and Anselmians Clubs on Saturday the 29th April.

The Vale XV once again was seeing numerous changes, this must just illustrate the talent in the Club at the present time. The 2nds and 3rd XVs have been a pleasure to watch this season as a whole.

In typical Cup fashion both sides had arrived early to go through their preparations. Both with a further game to play before moving to the Semi Finals. Glossop to play Rochdale at Glossop next Saturday and the Vale to play Rochdale on the 15th April at Rochdale.

Referee Sandy Woods – a most understanding Referee of any game where he might be in charge – readied the sides for the K.O. The score to date with the two sides – Vale Win at Home Vale Loss Away – so all to play for.

We were to witness some real talents in this Vale XV and the first score for the Vale was to be posted after 3 minutes – hell missed it locking up the changing rooms – to see Harrison Dodge cross in the far corner with Ben Walker converting. Harrison not only “quick” but possibly the best tackler in the Club.

Even at this stage and we are talking 5 minutes James Bonia was clearly going to cause problems for the Glossop XV. After driving at the Glossop pack he moved the ball out, then after passing through a number of hands stretching the Glossop defence Harrison Dodge crossed in the corner with Ben Walker again converting.

The Vale pack was showing a degree of dominance with a most physical front row of Tom Needham, James Bonia and George Oyston. Note these for the future.

The eight as a whole were going to cause the Glossop 8 problems, no they were causing them problems even in these early stages.

Louis Evans – does he improve his game week on week ?- with Paul Ganesh as his second row partner – he to enjoy a most aggressive game, never to take a step backwards - were causing the Glossop 8 many problems.

In the back row the threesome of Dan Clare, Sam Wallbank and Sam Walton were to provide possibly the most mobile threesome in these positions we have seen all season. We know Sam W. a big physical presence yesterday, accompanied by Dan Clare – What a player Dan is proving to be – and Sam Walton playing his first game I think, but starring both in his support play and definitely in his defensive needs.

Might mention Dan C. picked out by non-other than Dave Bennetts, we all know Dave is a good judge of players. “Bennie” had no hesitation of picking Dan out as the player of the day.

After this ramble, back to the game. It was becoming clear that the Vale XV were in many ways superior, possibly the Glossop Club suffer from the away fever which affects us, a reluctance by many to travel even short distances.

At scrum half Jack Batty was playing his usual game – a bloody good game as always – and providing his talented fly half Joe Wills with excellent ball. Joe is proving to be an excellent fly half knowing instinctively when to attack but vice versa when to let the ball out to his threequarters.

Back to the game. A huge drive by Sam Wallbank taking out a number of Glossop defenders took the Vale side to the half way line where he fed – literally – Jordan Fern he of tremendous pace to score a great try as he moved through the open expanses of the Vales main pitch. Ben Walker primarily a scrum half, we are blessed with a number of good scrum halves at the present time, converted again.

The Vale threequarters on the day were a young ‘’lot’’ but the pace exhibited was to believe. Centres Josh Wills, he brother of Joe, along with Sam Peters were both outstanding. The Glossop side clearly could not handle the sheer pace and elusiveness of these two lads, and combining these two with the pace of both wingers the Glossop XV were clearly going to be challenged.

A run by Sam Peters evading a number of attempts to tackle him, linking up eventually with Dan Clare in support – Where did he come from ?? – linked with Josh Wills onto brother Joe Wills who with a blatant dummy moved it on to Harrison who crossed for the inevitable try.

Ben Walker converting.

The game was moving on and again a pick up from Dan Clare moving the ball to Ben Walker in support, he feeding Jordan Fern again- Jordan hungry for the game today – moved to Sam Peters who crossed for a deserved try.

Glossop were clearly having problems from all areas of the game. They were a young side on the day and playing against a rampant, talented Vale XV, also filled with some young good players. Maybe the future in many cases !!

The game moved into the second half with a similar pattern. Sam Walton enjoying a good game as above but it was Louis Evans who crossed for a try under the posts. Did he deserve his try, a 100% player and clearly enjoys his rugby. He did deserve his try !!

In a rare Glossop attack Referee Sandy Woods penalised the Vale with a penalty try to get them off the bottom. They never gave up throughout the game a terrific reflection on the Glossop Club as a whole. We know a damned good Club at every level.

Skipper Tom Needham was making the changes and replacements came into play. Connor Macfarlane came on – Connor available every week Home or Away – Ben Rollands for his first game – a prop and built like a prop – he one to be watched. Henry Clifton, clearly built like a grey hound and he was to score on his debut within 5 minutes of entering the field of play.,

Ryan Busby came onto the field. All know Buzza and he was to take on kicking duties nOw in the fourth quarter of the game.

The game was moving away from Glossop and with the Vale clearly in the ascendancy Sam Peters was to cross for his second try after being fed by Jordan F – yes he was returning the complement - with Ben Walker converting.

The second half was in progress. A try saving tackle from Paul Ganesh prevented a clear scoring opportunity for Glossop.

Replacements were taking the field Henry Clifton as above scoring immediately, after receiving from Sam Peters. Ryan Busby taking over the kicking duties from Ben Walker equally with success.

Sam Wallbank was to compliment a most outstanding game with a try – 7 points with Ryan Busbys conversion – Josh Willis an outstanding game at outside centre crossed for a 5 pointer before closing the game at 76 points to 7 points.

The Vale XV now move into the next round at Rochdale on the 15th April followed by the semi-finals on the 22nd before the Finals Day on the 29th April.

Please excuse the chronological order of this report but I was fully involved with the pleasure of a game one of the best at the Vale this season !!!

Please note it is definitely not the Pappa John Cup
Vale Team yesterday :-

Tom Needham (Capt.)
James Bonia
George Oyston
Louis Evans
Paul Ganesh
Sam Walton
Dan Clare
Sam Wallbank
Jack Batty
Joe Wills
Jordan Fern
Josh Wills
Sam Peters
Harrison Dodge
Ben Walker
Connor MacFarlane
Ben Rollands
Henry Clifton
Ryan Busby (Buzza)