The Baines Plumbing Division One in the Halbro North West Leagues
Anselmians 2nd XV 73 pts v 22 pts Vale of Lune.

The Vale XV
6. Sam Green
2. Tom Hopwood
3. Matti Davenport
20. Tom Dpiebo
4. Tom Millar
17. Jake Wilson
9. Lee Starkey
21. Rory Briggs
16. Jamie Antcliffe
8. Josh Mitton
14. Jarrard McDonald
11. Kev Bristow
15. Harrison Dodge.
The Vale (13). Travelled to their furthest fixture in the League by coach. They were entirely grateful for this provision by the Club. Anselmians (The Saints) had asked for an early K.O. some weeks ago and Vale had agreed a 2.00p.m. K.O. which affected seriously Lee Starkey’s efforts to get a side together for the journey. Ultimately as above they travelled with 13 lads.

The game kicked off 13 v 14 as per the Rules the Saints could only play one man up in an instance such as this. Could they have equalled the numbers ??

Gary Williams our Liverpool Society Referee kicked the game off and it was immediately obvious the Anselmians side were, certainly in the first 20 minutes in command, and after 10 minutes they crossed for a converted try. Followed by another converted try on 15 minutes.
As previously mentioned the Vale spirit is embedded in this XV and young Jamie Antcliffe using his undoubted strength broke through the Selmians defence before feeding manager Lee Starkey who crossed for a try under the posts. Inevitably Rory Briggs converted.

The Vale 8 were certainly equalling the Anselmians 8 in the tight phases of the game and the first scrummage of the game saw the Vale pack overpower the Selmians 8 as they drove them back with some speed.
The Vale front row Sam Green, Matti Davenport and Tom Hopwood were holding their own in the tight with both Tom Millar – does he ever stop grafting – and Tom Dpiebo locking the scrum solidly from the 2nd row. Behind these young Jake Wilson at 8 was using his strength to keep the scrummage tight from behind. Jake is in the mould of Ben Keenan, Kieron Pickup and Josh Sutcliffe now regularly in the first XV.

Back to the game. On 18 minutes the Saints were to cross for a further 7 pointer, their extra man counting as they spread the ball wide stretching the Vale defence to the limit. 21 points to 7 points things were looking difficult. Harrison Dodge – is he the best tackler in the Club ? – was faced with a wave of Selmians players at times having to decide which one to pull down first.

With the score at 21 points to 7 an option of a penalty just in front of the half way line was taken and Rory B. with his trusted boot slotted the 3 points.
The Vale were into double figures. A dubious high tackle decision by Referee Williams allowed a further 3 points to be posted by Anselmians.
On 25 minutes they had crossed for a further 7 pointer taking the score to 31 points to 10 points as the half time whistle was due.

The second half kicked off and had the Vale XV been lifted by some stern talking at the half time gathering. They had lifted their game generally, Lee Starkey picking up balls at the base, Jamie Antcliffe driving into the Anselmians defence picking up two and sometime three of their defenders. Josh Mitton and Jarrard McDonald were entering into the fray with increased energy and Kev Bristow on the wing struggling with their extra man was showing his pace- and he is quick - when in possession.
No more to be said of Harrison……

The Anselmians side were in the ascendance scoring twice from wideout as they spread the ball to their undoubted advantage. The Vale XV never at any stage yielded and from a period of some limited supremacy Matti Davenport crossed for a deserved try wideout.
Following this score Tom Hopwood who was expending energy in the front row picked up an interception on the half way line and with undoubted pace broke away to score with Rory B. converting.
This was to complete the Vales scoring, and with Anselmians crossing the Vale line regularly later, despite the efforts of Harrison Dodge at fullback the score allowed a high return for the Anselmians XV,

They will return to the Vale in three weeks and I’m convinced there will be a different outcome as a full compliment of XV will be there to take them on…
Must nominate a M.O.M. on my part and a number deserved the nomination, but I would go for Tom Dpiebo on the day……

Fred Swarbrick