Here we go !!!
The first warm up game of the season ahead….

Windermere 1st XV 24 pts to Vale 2nds XV 55 pts

The Vale XV

15 Harrison Dodge 11 Kev Briston 14 Alex Lamont
13 Connor Hall
12 Kyel Dempsey (Capt.) 10 Dave Buchan 9 Orain McKmeeking 1 Tom Velaque 2 Lee Craven Starkey 3 Will Birkett 4 Isaac Thornton 5 Josh Longhurst 6 Si Wilson 7 Billy Bolton 8 Thomas Bradburn 16 Alex Ryder 17 Josh Mitton 18 Dave Minnikin

The fixture to be held at Windermeres Dawes Meadow ground was expected to produce a severe test for the side as selected a mixture of 2nd team, 3rd team and Colts players. The enthusiasm for the game, exhibited by all, was to be seen.
Windermere 1st XV ply their trade in the Cumbria 2nd division and proved to be a useful set of lads with possibly their No.10 being their best player on the day.

I had never visited their Club before and it was certainly a first for myself. It was good to meet up with Sam Hodgsons brother Boo Boo I understand. He remembered fully names from the past, Trevor Glover, Stevie Vose, Dave Bennetts and many others.

Good to know Lee Starkey is still in charge, today playing as hooker, and helped by Dave Buckton who actually played today, scoring the Vales first try and converted. This after some 10 minutes of play. After a series of close play Orainn Mcmeeking was to cross for a 5 pointer. Orainn of course watched by his father Trevor an ardent Rugby supporter and an excellent Man. Society Referee. He, Orainn, will continue this season in what is likely to be a successful Colts side.

The Windermere XV after these setbacks rallied and in fact crossed the Vale line to bring the score to a respectable 17 pts to 12 pts to the Vale.

With rumours abounding about the need to delay National K.O.’s to late September the game today was played on a perfectly acceptable surface. Has the decision by the RFU been taken too hastily.??

Vale were playing some good rugby and Skipper Kyel Dempsey was leading by example. Scoring two tries as he battered the Windermere defence. The score now 24 pts to 17 pts to the Vale. Harrison Dodge was called on to make a try saving tackle – does he ever miss a tackle ?? – keeping the score to 24 pts to 17 pts to the Vale.

The Vale threequarter line was working cohesively with Kev Bristow out on the wing, Alex Lamont in the centre partnered by Skipper Kyel Dempsey and Connor Hall obviously enjoying the game using his pace and energy for the full 80 minutes.
The Windermere XV were not going to lie down and at 24 pts to 17 pts they were in touch of the Vales score.

The Vale forwards were controlling things both in the tight play and importantly the loose. Tom Velaque is a most useful player and continues to hold his own being a strong technical prop. Lee Starkey showed anyone can hook nowadays !! and Will Birkett proved to be able, holding his own in a strong front row unit.

Behind them Isaac Thornton was displaying his usual strength, he is a big lad, along side Josh Longhurst. Certainly, the possibility of a successful partnership. Behind them and forming a most energetic back row unit was Si Wilson – we know a damned good 100% player – Billy Bolton moving from last years successful Colts side, watched keenly by his Dad, Bolly. Then we have Thomas Bradburn showing extreme ability in the lineout, collecting cleanly the ball and sending it to his scrumhalf Orraine accurately. This apart from displaying a most energetic display – remember it was hot – in the loose resulting in a 5 pointer as the game moved on. Hope his Dad got a picture of his try……

I hadn’t seen Alex Ryder previously but I’m sure he will prove a most useful acquisition as we move into the full season, opening with some strong fixtures early season. Dave Minnikin was introduced and immediately showed his elusive style easily beating opposition players – and one or two of his own – as he used his undoubted pace and agility to move to the Windermere line.

The game moved on and after two water breaks Harrison Dodge who with his performance deserved at least one try got over the line. Connor Hall was to cross taking the final score to 55 pts to this gallant Vale side to 24 points to the Windermere XV.

The season will start with some strong oppositions but it appears the lads are prepared fully to meet anything thrown at them in the first few weeks. We are in for a successful season.

Fred Swarbrick…

Fred Swarbrick

Chairman

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