The Baines Plumbing Division One in the Halbro North West Leagues
Vale Team….
Matt Davenport
Lee Sharkey
Joe Stevens
Connor Cook
Luke Sheppard
Freddie Bartle
Tim Singiser
Paul Scott
Jacob Thomas ©
Aaron Melville
Zac Elderton
Matt Thackeray
Harrison Dodge
Joe Summers
Matt Short
Chris Kavanagh
Kieron Miles
Jordan Fern

Well we’ve got the first two weeks of the season completed successfully. Apologies for the possibility I have some names identified wrongly in relation to shirt numbers. I received the nominated team late from Jacob.

After Birkenhead Park last week, here we were entertaining a new side to Division One hoping to find their feet which historically has been a most competitive League.

Jacob in a number of communications had indicated he might be short of numbers and whilst the main pitch was available the decision was taken to play the game on the training pitch urgently marked Saturday a.m. (Stuart Bradburn down 7.00 a.m Saturday ) with others to follow. The first time a fully fledged game to be played on the training pitch for many years. The work carried out over the Summer months had been miraculous in preparation for any game to proceed.
There were many changes to the Vale 15 with a mixture of youth and undoubted experience

An example of the suggested experience, Aaron, Thacks and Matti a total of 135 years. !!!

The game kicked off with Referee Stephen Ralston in charge, he was to enjoy a super game offering clear decisions – correct decisions – throughout the game. From the K.O the Vale XV were on the attack showing great strength up front and undoubted pace outside. A clearing kick from Jacob Thomas produced a lineout inside the Tarleton 22. A massive collective drive from the forwards created a gap for Matt Thackeray to post the first score. 5 pts to the Vale.

The Vale from the resultant start were on the attack again and another accurate kick to the corner resulted in Joe Summers scoring wideout. Joe was going to enjoy a great game operating in wide regions of the field. Tarleton were not at the Vale to lie down and from the K.O. carried the ball up to the Vale line, a terrific tackle from behind by Harrison Dodge – the diminutive Harrison Dodge but what pace he possesses – to prevent a try
Ultimately the Tarleton XV posted a score of 3 points from a Vale discretion..
Again from the resultant K,O. the Vale drove up the field spearheaded by the indomitable Joe Stevens, enjoying his usual domineering game. Moving the ball from the tight phase Zac Elderton gathered the ball to score wideout. Matt Short enjoying his usual deceptive game converted from wideout.
Tarleton posted a score soon after but generally the Vale XV were on top.
Paul Scott suffered a calf problem- fortunately not his thigh – was replaced by Liam Hall. Liam immediately showed his presence with some driving play.
The game was entering a quiet phase and the Vale XV had a comfortable lead. Connor Cook not a normal 2nd row was showing some swerving runs in the loose. Not the usual for a 2nd row forward. We know Freddie Bartle operating from No. 6 will never let any side down, it was good to see his selection in the side.
Up front and in the front row Lee Sharkey -play anywhere Lee – along with Joe Stevens, the strength of Joe along with Matti Davenport - my man of the match – were causing severe problems for the Tarleton 8.
The Vale side were nursing a comfortable lead and maybe took the foot off the pedal as in the late stages the Tarleton side scored two tris to take the final score to 38 – 22 points.
A comfortable win for a much changed XV with Broughton Park on the horizon to test this youthful Vale XV and knowing Broughton Park it will be a helluva test… Be prepared …………………….
The Table on the Halbro site looks wrong but it appears we are set at the top of the table. Well played to all !!!!
Fred Swarbrick.