Vale found it tough going against a strong Firwood Waterloo second team and were unable to recapture the endeavour they had displayed the previous week in their handsome victory at Sandbach.

Overall it was a disappointing outcome for the home side, as once again team manger had to boost his squad with a number of players from Lancaster University, all of whom played with great spirit throughout. Further problems hindered the Vale when shortly before the warm up, a far from healthy looking Aaron Melville was forced to pull out with an illness, resulting in yet more restructuring of the squad.

Straight from the kick off Firwood Waterloo's forwards made their presence felt with a rock sold scrummage and for the first time in a long time the Vale eight found themselves under serious pressure for long periods, at both scrum and line out, and that has not happened too often this season.

After seven minutes a text book catch and drive at a line out produced the visitors first score, a converted try. Vale had to dig deep and showing determination they launched a number of confidence boosting counter attacks.

Unfortunately, when within sight of the Firwood Waterloo line they conceded a penalty which set off a chain reaction of misdemeanours. Suddenly Firwood Waterloo were camped on Vale's twenty two and from yet another penalty the ball was quickly tapped, Vale's defenders were isolated and in the twenty first minute another converted try was posted.

The half ended with a flowing Firwood Waterloo attack that produced an unconverted try wide on the left with twelve minute remaining. An early second half try completed the scoring but there was plenty for the Vale to play for.

Although unable to break their duck the Vale battled hard but against a well organised, competent side, few clear cut chances were created. The University contingent made a valuable contribution, skipper Tom Cvijanovic further confirmed he is return to full match fitness after his injury, while the redoubtable Danny Lin played to his usual high standard, and hooker Richard Hodgson was in the thick of the action. But on the day a squad that contained a number of unfamiliar names, was unable to achieve the cohesion that was required to derail the opposition.