Despite the kick off being delayed because of the late arrival of a car containing some Stockport players and the horrendous weather which produced a very heavy pitch underfoot the Vale were not to be denied, and went onto to record their first victory of the season.

Vale were forced to make changes in key positions because of the unavailability of player resulting in Wayne Blyth donning the number nine jersey and John Hodgkinson hooking. In addition Liam Hall played his first game at lock and quickly forged a partnership with skipper Dan Rainford, but when Liam was replaced in a tactical change, the scrum lost some of its power.

A penalty goal from Neil Walker opened the scoring for the Vale in the fourteenth minute but nine minutes later their lead was overhauled. There was a high risk factor associated with moving the ball through hands but Stockport's threequarters ignored the potential dangers in a brave attack that ended with their dangerous right winger shrugging off a couple of poor tackles for an unconverted try.

However, the Vale went into the half time break leading 10-5 after wing forward Sam Hoare powerfully broke through tackles to race thirty metres for an important try which was converted by Neil Walker in the thirty fourth minute.

With conditions deteriorating as more rain started to fall on an already soggy pitch the game very scrappy, although the contest remained evenly balanced. Stockport's scrum half worked tirelessly but his efforts were matched by his opponents in particular from the forwards, who always had the edge, and were led superbly from the front by Dan Rainford.

Neil Walker put over three penalties in the fifty fifth, sixty seventh and eightieth minutes to not only keep the Vale's noses in front but to seal an important, confidence boosting victory for a group of players who have endured a difficult, demanding opening to their season.

In an excellent team performance, in which everyone played their part, the experience of Danny Lin and Alex Morrison was crucial in the back row. Young winger Kyel Dempsey continues to make progress and impress, he made a number of surges downfield and pulled off an important tackle to halt a dangerous Stockport attack in the second half. Overall it was in a deserved Premier League victory for the Vale from a team that has been through the wringer in their opening games.

Vale 2: A Yates, J Hodgkinson, J Stevens; D Ranford (Capt), L Hall; S Hoare, D Lin, A Morrison; W Blyth, N Walker; K Dempsey, J Harrison, C Thomas, L Birchall; J Antcliffe. Replacements: S Haddlington, M Field, E Hatton.