The Vale side :-
1. Duncan Ryan
2. Matt Davenport
3. Robbie Skelton
4. Josh Mitten
5. Jack Chadwick
6. Dan Baines
7. Ben Keenan
8. Adam Foxcroft ©
9. Ollie Wilson Sheridan
10. Lee Starkey
11. Haydn Mills
12. Alfie Bolton
13. Ben Prenlow
14. Jason Wilson
15. Harry Agar
16. Adam McLuskie

The Kendal XV arrived early at the Vale and long after the Vale side had completed their warm up routines the Kendal side continued, virtually to the K.O. time. They were clearly keen to reverse the heavy loss last week endured at the Eccles Club.
Vale/Kendal fixtures do not have the “sting” of games as in the past but, they being our nearest neighbours now in this League, it will always carry extreme enthusiasm to put one over each other.

Whilst the Kendal side had been at the wrong end of a heavy defeat at Eccles last week the Vale XV had also suffered a heavy loss at Hoppers on the first Saturday. Both were intent on putting these losses behind them.
Lee Starkey team manager had been drafted in to play and in fact, in the unusual position for him at fly half. He was to use his natural kicking ability, and his natural reading of the game to great effect throughout the contest.

A large crowd had gathered for the K.O. moved to the Vales’ Crem pitch - I wonder why ?? - and were to be treated to an absorbing contest. The Vale 8 in the set scrums were in command in the first half but fell away somewhat in the second. The front row of Duncan Ryan, Matti Davenport and Robbie Skelton had gathered a huge number of “caps” over the years and were clearly used to the intricacsies of front row play. Josh Mitten and Jack Chadwick were locking the scrum effectively. It was good to see Jack Chadwick back in the side after suffering one or two injuries in the past season.

Was the back row the most experienced unit of the Vale side. Skipper on the day Adam Foxcroft was to use his huge physique to great effect continually driving through the middle of the Kendal defence. Note the title of this League non-other than Dan Baines was present in the back row. Some of his tackling was of text book quality and I’m sure he must have stemmed a number of possible Kendal attacks at base. Dan enjoyed a super game, but of course he has played in the higher echelons of the game. At number 8, and great to see him back in the side was Ben Keenan – a 100% player – never gives up and the delivery from his lineout prowess is always, two handed, accurate and clean, apart from his obvious energy in the loose.

It was clear it was going to be a tight game. Defences on top and any attacking opportunities killed at base. The Kendal XV were a side of extreme youth mixed with a degree of experienced players. The game started on the whistle of our Referee for the day Mr. Richard Todd who was to exert a degree of control throughout the game, maybe he had heard of the past experiences of Kendal / Vale games.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine with a wind that was in Kendal’s favour in the first half. A degree of strong attacking play resulted in the Kendal XV posting a try taking them to a 5 point lead. Kicking on the day was going to be difficult with the wind present virtually throughout the game.
The Vale XV as a whole reacted to this setback, and gathered themselves, taking them into the Kendal half with a sustained effort on behalf of the whole side. Forwards driving the Kendal 8 back and the threequarters seeking out any weaknesses in the Kendal defence. A score was on the horizon and Alfie Bolton was on hand to touch down on the Crem side of the field. Alfie of course another 100% player.

At 5 points each it was going to remain as such for a big part of the game. Ollie W.S. was enjoying a fine game at scrum half, I think a genuine scrum half at last, with a good accurate pass and an eye for any openings at the base. Feeding Lee Starkey good accurate ball, allowing him time to come to any decisions regards spreading the ball or kicking for position.

Outside Lee, Alfie was his usual self, enjoying some sharp breaks but defending strongly as required and producing a useful partnership with Ben Parkinson. The wingers did not see a lot of the ball, we are aware of the extreme pace of Haydn Mills, but unfortunately he didn’t get any opportunities to display his speed on the day. Again, on the opposite wing Jason Wilson was not presented with any ball to produce any runs but he was defending any Kendal breaks strongly. Harry Agar at fullback moving from the 3rds last week was enjoying a sound, safe game from fullback and supporting any moves as they occurred. He is a good player….

The game was in a stalemate phase but the Kendal side were testing the Vales defence and showing some great elusive moves and this resulting in a score taking them into a 5 point lead in the second half. Seeing the general tightness of the game scoring any tries was going to be difficult, but a period of powerful play from the Vale took them to the Crem corner of the field and Ollie WS alert as usual crossed for an equalising try wideout. Inevitably the conversion failed.

At this stage Macca – Adam McLuskie – had entered he field, his experience recognised in the Club and also recognised as a good player to be valuable in any side where he might be selected.

At 10 points all the game was static. Was I going to experience a second draw in successive weeks. Not to be, after a great kick from flyhalf Lee Starkey to the corner resulting in a lineout 5 metres out from the Kendal line the Vale 8 gathered the ball and “young” Adam Foxcroft, with 5 minutes to play, picked the ball up and using his strength and size crossed the line for a 5 pointer moving to a 7 pointer with the first successful conversion of the day from Lee Starkey.

The Vale XV had posted a victory in the dying minutes of the game and deservedly so on the day.

A number of players must be vying for the accolade of M.O.M. but with Adam scoring the winning try must give it to him, apart from his overall play throughout the game on the day.

Next week Birkenhead Park are on the list at Birkenhead. The second team this season are going to go well but a settled side is a necessity so please put yourselves forward for selection and see you all at Park next Saturday