Rochdale arrived at Powderhouse Lane having already recorded a victory over the Vale of Lune at Moorgate Avenue earlier in January, in addition to lowering the Vale's colours in the opening game of the season.

Although Rochdale had to make changes in their line up from the previous encounter they posed a formidable threat and with the hosts in a fine vein of form, unbeaten in six games, a great contest was in prospect and it did not disappoint, as the Vale consolidated their position at the top of Conference B.

Straight from the kick off the Vale were put under pressure and following a line out in the scoreboard corner the Vale were penalised; Jacob Warburton kicked the penalty goal in the seventh minute.

From the restart the Vale upped the tempo and with the ball being moved quickly and players offering their support the Vale swarmed all over Rochdale. Tom Cvijanovic touched down for a try converted by Neil Walker from wide out, two minutes after the Rochdale score.

Vale continued to attack in numbers with Tom Cvijanovic, Ryan Needham and Simon Harrison spearheading an attack that took play up to the Rochdale line. Tom Smith, who was in close contact with this flying threesome, scored in the corner in the fifteenth minute. Neil Walker, who was directing operations superbly at fly half throughout, was off target with a challenging conversion.

There was an air of fragility about the respective defences and in the twentieth minute Rochdale drove for the Vale line in a move that ended with Robbie Willets collecting a deserved try converted by Jacob Warburton.

The Vale hit back immediately when a searing break from full back Ollie Dobson caught Rochdale by surprise before he linked up with Al Crookall who scored wide out, this time Neil Walker converted with a superb kick.

Vale were let off the hook when a Rochdale penalty flew wide but from the drop out they swept downfield with Dan Rainford breaking the gain line. With Rochdale grimly defending the Vale were awarded a five metre line out. The forwards did the necessary from close range, Ryan Needham was awarded the try to crown a fine overall performance from the hard working lock.

A thoroughouly entertaining half, which was at time frenetic, ended on a high note for the Vale. Neil Walker launched an attack, Alistair Richards, back after injury, accelerated away before slipping a pass to Tom Smith who touched down between the posts, Neil Walker's conversion completed the first half scoring.

At the start of the second half the Vale found themselves under pressure. Tom Crookall, who used his power and strength throughout to break up Rochdale's rhythm, was shown a yellow card for offering his observations on what was evolving and five minutes later he was joined in the sin-bin by brother Al, plenty for them to discuss on the naughty step.

The loss of players did not appear to hinder Vale's desire and in the forty eighth minute Jamie Antcliffe, who has been a real stalwart in the side all season, scored a try close to the posts converted again by Neil Walker.

There might have been some confusion surrounding the Vale's total but the game continued to be played at a frantic pace with Rochdale beginning to pose a threat as play became fragmented. Jonathan Bradley scored an unconverted try for Rochdale in the fifty fifth minute and ten minutes later Jordan Reynolds split Vale's defence wide apart with a try between the posts, converted by Jacob Warburton.

The Vale were perhaps tiring or they thought their lead was enough but the found themselves having to repulse wave after wave of Rochdale attacks. Eventually they cracked, Robbie Willets collecting his second try, converted by Jacob Warburton to complete the scoring but the referee's whistle could not come soon enough for the Vale in the face of a resurgent Rochdale side.

Referee Sandy Woods was the ideal official for such a fast moving game, always up with play, fully aware of the advantage law to ensure the game flowed, he did keep a tight but unobtrusive grip on the game.

Rochdale showed they have adapted well to their first season in the Bateman BMW Premier League and this meeting between the two clubs only helped reinforce the high level of competiveness to be found in this league, in particular when it splits into a Conference format.

Vale of Lune 2nds: O Dobson; A Richards, T Crookall, J Antcliffe, A Crookall; N Walker, J Alker; M Field, S Harrison, O Cowey (Capt); D Rainford, R Needham; T Cvijanovic, J Wallbank, T Smith. Replacements A Yates, J Moore, R Hodgson.