In recent weeks the UK has been subjected to the vagaries of Abigail, a battering from Barney, followed by that Jack in a Box, Clodagh, then along comes Desmond, who was really trying, in particular for those who had already decked their halls.

Deluging Desmond caused the Vale of Lune's North One West home game against Widnes to be postponed when the pumps were forced to give up their unequal struggle as they gurgled to a halt. The was the Vale's first postponement since 15 February 2014, away at Kirkby Lonsdale, after torrential rain had rendered the pitch unplayable at Underley Park.

Unfortunately waiting somewhere out on the escalator, with a little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul, is Eva, and while Dirty Desmond was gearing up to do his worst in North Lancashire and Cumbria, the seconds travelled south to Macclesfield and a windswept Priory Park, but thankfully without any precipitation.

Despite having to make late changes from their original selection the Vale started well playing into the gale but it came as quite a surprise when "The Silkmen" opened the scoring, not via their impressive pacey, slippery threequarters, but from an old fashioned forward drive, followed by a number eight pick up for a try that was converted.

Macclesfield extended their lead with another converted try, in the seventeenth minute in an attack that showcased their fleet footed backs allied to some excellent support play from a side whose average age was 21. The hosts picked up an easy looking try in the twenty third minute but their fourth of the half was a repeat of the second, neatly packaged together and gift wrapped, when a Vale attack broke down.

In the fourth minute of injury time the Vale were rewarded for their efforts in keeping Macclesfield away from the danger zone. When a Macclesfield player uncharacteristically spilled the ball, Wayne Blyth pounced for a well taken try which Neil Walker converted.

At the start of the second half Macclesfield added to their twenty four point lead with two converted tries. Despite the task confronting them the Vale battled hard, pinning Macclesfield deep in their own territory but the home side defended their line well, not only dealing effectively with Vale's forward options but giving the Vale's backs little time or space, to generate any momentum.

Macclesfield's final try epitomised their free-wheeling approach when their high stepping full back accelerated into the line for a clinical score.

It had been another challenging contest for the Vale against a side in the top half of the Premier League but they played well for long periods. Their scrum was solid, there was some determined scavenging in the loose but once Macclesfield started to slip through the gears they were severely tested.

Prop Alex Preston marked his return with some forthright tackling, aided and abetted by Alex Morrison, these two maintaining a high work rate throughout. Wayne Blyth always looked dangerous with ball in hand, while Sam Hadington, who came on as a replacement impressed.

Vale, who moved up one place in the table, have two more fixtures before the league divides, at home against Firwood Waterloo and Rochdale away, two Christmas baubles they would dearly like see hanging on their tree.

Vale 2nds: R Wood, J Hodkinson, A Preston; D Rainford (Capt), A Yates; S V Hoare, J Wallbank, A Morrison; O Dobson, N Walker; W Blyth, J Whyke, T Crookall, J Fearns; J Antcliffe. Replacements: K Dempsey, S Hadington, E Hatton.