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2nd XV
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Sat 04 Mar 2023  ·  NOWIRUL Baines Plumbing Division 1
Vale of Lune RUFC
2nd XV
17
38
2nd XV
Vale of Lune 2nd XV  v  Anselmians 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

Vale of Lune 2nd XV v Anselmians 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

Scott Evans5 Mar 2023 - 10:19

The Baines Plumbing Division One in the Halbro North West Leagues

The Vale XV entered this fixture having been unbeaten in their home games to date this season, a remarkable record. The Anselmians Club as a whole, are enjoying a successful season throughout their Club with their 2nds leading the North West Regional 2 League and actually performing on the main pitch at the Club simultaneously.

Once again, the Vale XV were showing many changes this being the main theme of the season to date. There is no doubt that the ability of the players involved would be enhanced if the time might come to play a consistent regular XV. Having said that the changed faces illustrate the talent there is in the Club if only a consistent selection and availability could be made, to produce the teamwork and understanding necessary to challenge in this most competitive of Leagues.

In discussion with the Anselmians management agreement was reached to allow the Vale side to field 4 replacements.

Chris Meadows our referee – who was to enjoy an excellent game – started the game a couple of minutes late and immediately the Vale side were on the attack, through their forwards driving at the Anselmians 8. This was to be a dominant feature of the game, certainly in the first half.

Solid scrummaging through the strength and technique up front, with the experience of James Hesketh and Matti Davenport but now allied with Sam (Muddy) Waters a beast of a lad and built in the true physique necessary for a prop forward were to dominate the Anselmians front row. Behind, Tom Needham and Adam Foxcroft providing the necessary energy to propel the Vale scrummage forward with some massive “heaves”… Paul Ganesh, Luke Sheppard and Dan Clare were there to clear up any errors but available to join in any attacks that developed.

Must mention Dan Clare and offer him as Man of the Match a human dynamo, we don’t see him often enough n Vale colours…

To the game itself, with the undoubted strength of the Vale pack it was only 10 minutes when a concerted Vale drive, with Adam Foxcroft at the forefront, took them over the Anselmians line with Skipper Tom Needham claiming the score. With the work Tom is doing with this XV he deserves the accolade of a score !!

Ryan Fawcett – great to see him back on the field - converted taking the 7 points on offer. With the Vale 8 dominant at this stage Jack Batty ( Son of !!) linking with his flyhalf Joe Wills, both great prospects for the Vale were working any ball decisively.

Hope you won’t mind an aside at this point and considering it was past players day, it crossed my mind that Joe W. plays in the same style as a Vale stalwart from the past Johny Orr. John was there yesterday and truly great to see him with his old playing mate Tim Becker.

“Apologies, just had to get this in, a dreaming moment !!” On 15 minutes a penalty was awarded to Anselmians and slotted successfully 7 points to 3 points with the Vale in the ascendency.

The game moved into a stalemate phase but the dominant Vale pack were allowing some interesting threequarter play. Josh Wills, in his first game – brother of Joe – was enjoying his first game alongside the most experienced, most reliable partner in Jamie Antcliffe. Jamie has been round the block and is a huge presence in the middle of the park.

On 35 minutes Anselmians crossed the Vale line taking the 5 points, but within 3 minutes Vale had responded with Finley Quarry crossing for a 5 pointer wideout. Finley again a first game in Vale colours and son of our esteemed coach Rob Quarry.

Zac Elderton on the opposite wing was showing some pace but in addition he was defending stoically as the Anselmians attack was developing and putting the Vale threequarter line under some extreme pressure.

The game was to change dramatically soon into the second half. An injury to an Anselmians prop caused the game to move into an uncontested situation. This clearly removed the domination of the Vale 8 in the tight phases of the game but allowed the Anselmians threequarters to exhibit some tremendous pace and ability.

Anselmians scored with a scything run from their fullback to take the score to 13 points to 10 in their favour. James Hesketh and Tom Needham were ringing the changes and Sam Smith, Bobby Holbrook and Joel Rodwans were to take to the field in an attempt to slow the growing influence of the Anselmians XV They crossed again taking the score to 20 points to 10 points followed up with a penalty 23 points to 10 points.

Immediately they crossed for a 5 pointer before Luke Sheppard crossed for Vale deservedly after enjoying a great game defending heroically. Taking the score to 28 to 17 in Anselmians favour before they were awarded a penalty taking the score to 31 points to 17 points before the game closed down with a final score from these visitors to end at 38 points to 17 points.

A home record to be proud of broken on the day, but all should be proud of their performances in a game that changed dramatically from the affect of moving from a contested scrummage situation to an uncontested phase.

The Vale XV now move into their final league game of the season away at Birkenhead Park I know you’ll all be available for selection as we “bus” it to Park along with the 1sts.

This Baines Plumbing League has proved to be most competitive this season possibly the most competitive to date and we’ve witnessed some great rugby throughout the season.

The League season culminates next Saturday before moving into the Cup phase of the competition with a home game on the 25th March v Glossop followed by an away game at Rochdale two weeks later. We can win this competition lads !!!
The Vale Team :-

James Hesketh
Matti Davenport
Sam (Muddy) Waters
Tom Needham
Adam Foxcroft
Dan Clare
Paul Garnesh
Luke Sheppard
Jack Batty
Joe Wills
Finley Quarry
Josh Wills
Zac Elderton
Ryan Fawcett
Connor McFarlane
Bobby Holdbrook
Sam Smith
Joel Rodwans

Match details

Match date

Sat 04 Mar 2023

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

NOWIRUL Baines Plumbing Division 1
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Season 22/23  , 23/24 Ball Sponsor - Blend Accountants
U15's Shirt Sponsor - Concrete2you
Club and Player Sponsor - Bay Travel
Club Sponsor - Walling UK
Club Sponsor - Harrison Drury Solicitors
Club Sponsor - Dave Kendall
Club Sponsor - ACE Skips
Club Sponsor - MARDON
Club Sponsor - South Lakes Windows
Club Sponsor - MJ Catterall
Club Sponsor - Approved Inspectors Ltd
Club Sponsor - Pink Skips/Quay Concrete
Club Sponsor - Handlesbanken
Club Sponsor - Radcliffe and Bibby
Club Sponsor - Yesss Electrical
Club Sponsor - Oakmere Homes
Club Sponsor - Graham Group
Club Sponsor - Alex Willis Funeral Home
Club Sponsor - Bay Fire
Club Sponsor - Cumberland Building Society
Club Sponsor - Wallings
Club Sponsor - Travellers Choice
Club Sponsor - Lancastrian Estates
Club Sponsor - Patty's Farm Barn
Player Sponsor - SJB Tiling
Club Sponsor - Burton & Fisher
Club Sponsor - Maine Amusements
U8's & U9's Shirt Sponsor  - Thermo Fisher
1XV Team Sponsor - PBS Financial Advisers