The Vale XV once again travelled with a much changed side to face a side that hadn’t won a game this season ( played 7 – Lost 7 ). Surely the side selected just must be the favourites to come away with a victory.
Once again, a much changed side were travelling, there just must be a case lads for putting your hand up to travel, Warrington next week lets get a good side over there to “stuff” them. Lost two this season both away games, is this adding some meaning. Can we win this League – Yes we can - Make yourselves available lads.
Today there was no doubt the Sedgley side were a big physical side and were intent on taking the game to the Vale. A side comment – “A call was received on Tuesday evening from Sedgley asking that their 3rds might be allowed to amalgamate with their 4ths and play in their 4ths League” – This was refused and after todays game it is apparent that this appeal was right to be necessarily rejected.
The game kicked off in surprisingly dry conditions and it immediately became apparent that the Sedgley XV could well cause problems for the young Vale XV – great to see the massive experience in the side with Adam Foxcroft, Jamie Antcliffe and Scott Manning – all three being at the forefront of the sides efforts today.
It was to be only 6 minutes of play before the Sedgely side broke through close to the sticks to post 5 points, 7 points with the inevitable conversion. If nothing else the Vale XV are a most defensive side and the obvious physicality of the Sedgley side was being held up by some determine tacking by the Vale XV.
At 25 minutes the floodlights were switched on which signalled another 5 points to the Sedgley XV. The Vale XV were clearly under the cosh at this stage of the game.
The lineout was not functioning as normal, although as usual Louis Evans was taking some clean ball to offer Skipper Jacob Thomas the time to release some quick ball. The front row continually being screwed in the tight were battling with Matt Field (will he be fit for next week ?) , Matti Davenport (always puts a full shift in) and Tom Needham ( what a fighter), behind them and although the scrum was moving in the reverse. Adam Foxcroft apart from his effort in the tight was in every case with ball in hand making ground putting his side on the front foot. Young Connor Mcfarlane, I’m certain not a second row player was – can I say it playing out of his mind in the loose.
The back row inevitably were struggling as the scrum was under some serious pressure and unable to show their undoubted pace. Connor Cook usually so quick was finding a retreating scrum difficult, his partner Luke Sheppard also finding things hard to overcome the physicality of the Sedgley 8. Louis Evans equally, but his lineout work was again providing results.
As the game moved to half time Sedgley began to dominate ad before the half time break they scored 2 tries both of which were converted. 31 points to 0 points at the turn around. A stern half time talk by both Jacob Thomas and Scott Manning seemed to stir the Vale lads. At this stage Matt Field had left the field with a recurring knee problem – hopefully he’ll be O.K. for next weekend. Read the rules lads “The Halbro North West Leagues” web site.. We were under considerable pressure we should have gone uncontested.
Overall Jacob Thomas playing behind a moving scrum was handling things well, feeding his partner Jamie Antcliffe with some reasonable ball, and Jamie was using his ability to move the ball into the midst of the Sedgley defence. It was from one of these drives that he passed out to Scott Manning who crossed for a 5 pointer with Jacob Thomas adding the conversion. Scott M. was using his rugby experience to drive into the Sedgley defence and was certainly due his try after some hard work in the centre of the park. At this stage Lee Starkie had move from the wing into the hooking position with Matti Davenport moving to prop. (Should have gone uncontested lads ) This left the field open in the threequarters but Harrison Dodge a flyer (is he as quick as Reece Zammit) tore into the Sedgley defence to score a deserved 5 points.
With Lee Starkey moving into the front row a gap was in the threequarter line meant defensively the Vale side were wanting…. Archie Watson and Sean Patterson I think playing together for the first time were under considerable pressure as the Sedgely threeqarters began to move the ball wide. This resulted in two scores with both being converted to close the game at 45pts to 19pts.
The Vale XV unbeaten at home to date must change their away commitment make themselves available to maintain the position in the upper reaches of this most competitive league, with a number of away games on the horizon. The side is filled with some extremely good players, but all must be available each and every week where at all possible.
Fred Swarbrick
The Vale XV…

Matt Field
Matt Davenport
Tom Needham
Adam Foxcroft
Connor McFarlane
Connor Cook
Louis Evans
Luke Sheppard
Jacob Thomas (Skipper)
Jamie Antcliffe
Archie Watson
Sean Patterson
Scott Manning
Lee Sharkey
Harrison Dodge.