The Vale Side:
Kyron Sharples
Matti Davenport
Joe Stevens
Tom Preito
Shaun Stewart
Tom Fox
Tom Miller
J.J. McKinnon
Jack Batty
Jamie Antcliffe
Liam Stirzaker
Kyel Dempsey
Jake Wilson
Harrison Dodge
Lee Starkey
Dave Buchan
Ollie Wilson Sherrington

---

This return fixture playing at Rochdale’s Moorgate Avenue ground was going to be a test for this youthful Vale side. The Vale XV have enjoyed recent successes which had moved them away from the relegation position in this most competitive Baines Plumbing League. The opening fixture of the season was indeed played at Powderhouse Lane versus Rochdale. The Vale at that time beat this Rochdale side.

It was Rochdale’s final game of the season and the two sides were standing only one point apart in the League, so a competitive game was in prospect.

It was to be a cold, wet day with a strong wind in Rochdale’s favour in the first half. Cliff Huck and myself arrived late having a fault on the Sat Nav in my car. The scores were level at 5 pts each at the time of our arrival. Harrison Dodge had scored after a kick through by Jamie Antcliffe. Manager Lee Starkey had managed a good side for the travel – by coach – and clearly there was a confidence in the side after recent results had taken the side out of relegation territory.

One of the bright things in recent weeks has been the selection of a regular side. The lads making themselves available each week home and away. A regular side certainly helps in performance.

I spent the first half alongside Dave Buchan who proved to be a most knowledgeable man of the game. He indeed had played the evening before in a game at Hoppers. Ollie Wilson Sherrington was running the line and Haydn Mills was sidelined due to an injury incurred last Saturday.

The wind was against the Vale XV in this first half but this didn’t stop the endeavours of the lads. A battling performance was in prospect, this exemplified by the powerful play of J.J. McKinnon, who was taking the game into the midst of the Rochdale defence, ultimately crossing for a 5‑pointer. At 10 points to 5 points the Vale XV were looking to be in a good position — “this against a strong wind”. The game was opening up and a sweeping movement along the Vale line allowed Tom Fox to cross the line and with Jamie Antcliffe converting, the Vale side were to turn round in a relatively comfortable position at 17 points to 5 points.

The scrummaging phase of the game was untidy but at times the Vale 8 were driving the Rochdale pack backwards sometimes at a rate of knots. The front row of Matti Davenport – later to retire with an injury – Joe Stevens – enjoying a strong game in both the tight and loose – along with Kyron Sharples were in control. Tom Preito and Shaun Stewart locked the scrum expertly and a mobile back row of Tom Miller, always in the thick of it, Tom Fox (see above with his try), and J.J. McKinnon (see above), were exerting real pressure on the Rochdale half backs preventing any fluent moves on their part.

Leading 17 points to 5 at the half and now expecting to be playing with the wind after the turn round, things were looking comfortable. THE WIND DROPPED.

Jack Batty was using his experience behind the scrum and putting in some long clearing kicks as Rochdale attacked strongly the Vale line. Jamie Antcliffe at fly half was to show his undoubted strength at fly half and outside him, Kyel Dempsey was to make some probing runs into the Rochdale defence. Outside Kyel, Jake Wilson, now playing centre from his usual back row position, was showing pace as the Rochdale side retreated. One move at speed could well have given him a score.

Harrison Dodge on the wing was not allowed the space to show his undoubted pace but his tackling once again was top notch. Liam Stirzaker on the opposite wing was under‑used and took a knock to the head in the second half and had to leave the field. Thanks must go to the referee who showed much concern regarding Liam’s injury and indeed checked on his position twice later in the game.

At this stage Matti Davenport left the field with a knock and none other than manager Lee Starkey moved from fullback to hooker. What a man. Dave Buchan now took to the field and Ollie Wilson Sherrington came on in place of Liam Stirzaker.

Did these changes affect the mood of the Vale XV? Carrying a 12‑point lead the side appeared to lose the drive seen in the first half. J.J. McKinnon was not taking the game to the Rochdale XV as previously and generally the attitude seemed to fall away. With this, the Rochdale XV, attacking, crossed for a converted try taking the score to 17–15 to the Vale side. Later they crossed again taking the score against the Vale to 20 points to 17 points — to Rochdale.

A concerted Vale attack was in place and the Rochdale side were under extreme pressure before the Vale side crossed for 5 points again, taking them in touch of a possible victory at 20 points to 17 points.

Not to be, after a speculative pass from Jamie Antcliffe in an attempt to achieve an open run to the Rochdale line, the pass was intercepted and allowed Rochdale to move to the winning score.

Excuse the confused applications of scores and scorers at this time. I was “bloody” freezing and attempting to take shelter in this wide, open expanse of the Rochdale field was difficult. One game to go for this Vale side at home but now clear of any relegation fears.

M.O.M.
Definitely first half J.J. McKinnon, but overall Kyel Dempsey, who enjoyed a most impressive game both in attack at pace and in defence.

Fred Swarbrick
Chairman
‘IMPACT’ Rugby North West Leagues
Sponsored by IMPACT RUGBY UK

https://www.nowirul.org.uk/
https://www.impactrugby.co.uk/