The Vale XV arrived at the Tarleton Club or should I say the Vale X . The side arrived with only 10 players after two had stood down on the morning of the game.

The Club in effect should be proud of these 10 lads who were prepared to take the field. With some off field negotiations it was agreed that the Tarleton Club would offer three players to the Vale, then the game to commence with 14 v 13.

It has got to be said the second XV have, and are in the middle of a considerable run of away fixtures, after an early season run of homes which took the side to 2nd in the League Table. This run will normalise post Christmas but there are still two aways to negotiate – Lads. Reasons for this run is due to the travel setting up in conjunction with the 1st XV. i.e. a coach for the dual away games.

Tarleton themselves are struggling at the foot of this Division One table but today were going to prove a most difficult side to overcome.

The game kicked off with Adam Foxcroft driving through the lineout and moving the side up the field within sight of the Tarleton goal line. An encouraging start to the proceedings. Adam was going to play a huge part in the Vale side certainly in attack.

After this encouraging start the Tarleton side recovered and after only 5 minutes scored a full length try with the resultant conversion. They were proving a most vigorous side and difficult for the Vale to handle. On 20 minutes once again they crossed for another 5 pointer.

The defence by the Vale was determined at all times. Harrison Dodge pulling off some remarkable last ditch tackles. We know he can run but his defensive work is also first class. Sam Peters now playing at fly half was struggling to get up to speed but when the space was there it was apparent he would cause the Tarleton side some problems. Stu Taylor on the wing was defending bravely in face of the assault. An aside – He asked who I was – commented “just call me Sir- son”, He continued to do so ….

The Vale 8 after these first two scores spent a long time on the Tarleton line ultimately with James Hesketh crossing for 5 points. What a tower of strength in the Vale pack, supported fully by Matti Davenport and Tom Needham – the side organiser. Louis Evans as ever was in the thick of everything and taking some great lineout ball where in fact along with Adam F. we were in the ascendancy at this phase of the game.

James Heskeths try was the result of some continuous pressure on the Tarleton line, Luke Sheppard was proving to be a handful at this phase of the game. If only they could have crossed whilst exerting this pressure following Heskys try who knows what effect that might have had on the Tarleton side. They were second to bottom in the League and struggling to maintain their presence in this most competitive of Leagues.

Actually Jack Chicken was proving to be a useful player in the middle, he being an import from Tarleton. Gradually the Tarleton XV were taking a grip of the game and on 40 minutes they scored a 5 pointer to build a useful lead into the 2nd half.

At this stage the Vale lads were showing a gritty spirit, as above we should be proud of these lads taking the field and indeed travelling under these difficult circumstances.

From the 2nd half K,O. the Tarleton XV crossed again. And then 5 minutes into the half after some powerful play on their behalf they crossed again for a 7 pointer. At this point the tackling prowess of Harrison Dodge came to the fore with some terrific low body i.e. legs, tacking generally from behind.

Tom Needham had been injured at this point and had to leave the field. The scrummaging was consequently uncontested. The scoring by the Tarleton side continued at 45 minutes, 50 minutes, and twice more before Referee Chris Higgins pulled the game. In fact he was suffering from a pulled ham string and as the game had exceeded 60 minutes the result would stand. His feeling was that if he’d continued he’d have had to miss any game next week. Understandable then !!

Lads we need everyone to stand up and be counted, next week we set off to Broughton Park who languish at the bottom of the League travelling on the coach with the 1st XV. All should put their names forward to be available. Then on to Macclesfield before the Xmas break. A tough one but we have beaten them this season. These last two games before the break, we need all to put their names forward for selection !!! Without fail…

Let’s finish with two victories up to the break ………..

The Vale side with Three Tarleton additions :-

James Hesketh
Matti Davenport
Tom Needham
John Jackson
Adam Foxcroft
Louis Evans
Luke Sheppard
D.N.A.
George Cook (TAR)
Sam Peter
Stu Taylor
Harrison Dodge
Jack Chicken (TAR)
Adam Stokes (TAR)

Fred Swarbrick.