Stockport over the last few weeks have started to improve through a number of injured players returning to the fold.

On the other hand Vale were forced to make changes in the front row after late cry-offs. Volunteers were asked for and Ryan Needham stepped up to play in a position he hasn’t had to suffer since his school days.

What a good job he made with his large frame, approx. 6 ft 5 in bedding down with Matt Field and Joe Stevens to form a tight unit that never faltered and was only upset late in the second half when Ryan was injured and had to leave the field. However, he soon got over the injury and returned for the rest of the game.

On a cold but clear afternoon the match started with Stockport determined to reverse the result of the Cup match played before Christmas. They showed their intent with some sweeping back moves that threatened to tear the Vale apart.
After only six minutes a sweeping move and some hesitant Vale tackling saw the Stockport left winger round and under the posts for an easy conversion for the 10.

However robust driving by the Vale pack saw a good move downfield and from the resultant quick ball Jamie Antcliffe was away down the right for a good try for Vale. Neil Walker put the conversion over and after eleven minutes we were all square.
With both sides moving the ball around again Vale’s defence was unable to stand up to a swift handling movement with the Stockport centre making an excellent break after 19 minutes to put Stockport ahead again. This time the 10 was unable to convert.
Again Stockport kept attacking with Vale hard pressed and fortunate not to go further behind when a Stockport centre broke through and touched down, but the referee was unsighted and gave Vale a 5 metre scrum from which they scrambled the ball away.
Vale’s pack had been battling away and in the 32nd minute drove forward and released good ball for Scott Manning to crash over for another try converted by Walker.
This gave Vale a 14 – 12 lead which they kept until half time.

Tony Gilmour gave the lads lots of encouragement at half time having limited his changes to Alex Hill coming on for Wayne Blyth early in the match but reverted to the original starting lineup.

The second half started with Stockport the livelier of the two sides and Tony made another change in bringing on Jeff Moore in place of Joe Wallbank for Jeff’s first start for the A team.

Stockport also made some changes in the front row at half time which saw them improve in the pack and started to camp down in the Vale 22. A number of penalties kept being awarded to Stockport and they were being pinned in their own 22. After another of these penalties a kick to the corner, a catch and drive saw the pack go over for an unconverted try.
Backs to the wall time for Vale but they forced their way upfield and from a maul inside the Stockport 22 Walker threw out a pass which Manning snatched as it was going past him and crashed over under the posts. Again Walker was able to add the extras and the Vale were back in the lead 21-17 after 69 minutes.

Needham suffered a leg injury and Tony Gilmour not wanting to go to uncontested scrums brought Joe Wallbank on as hooker with Matt Field switching to prop.
With the pressure mounting all the time and more penalties being awarded against the Vale they were now up against it especially as after 74 minutes Morrison was given a yellow card.
Needham came back on but still Stockport were camped in the Vale 22.
Finally in the 78th minute another penalty, a catch and drive saw Stockport snatch the winning try with the 10 adding the conversion to make it a three point win.

With some excellent tackling, especially in the forwards and at fullback it was a bitter pill to take after a 100 per cent effort by all the team.
Stockport were a much improved side and the Vale will look forward to the return on March 7th.