Due to an alarming number of late cry-offs on Saturday morning, Team Manager Tony Gilmour only had 12 players at his disposal for the trip to Birkenhead Park. Again the services of his hot line were required and he recruited a group of players from Lancaster University, who not only made a massive contribution to the victory but enable the seconds to travel with 17 players.

After a rather circuitous journey two of the seconds most ardent supporters, Fred and Reg, arrived to observe the Vale under early pressure but some resolute tackling, a feature of Vale's game throughout, took the sting out of Park's attacks.

Once Park's early advances had been rebuffed the Vale gained control of proceedings. Jamie Antcliffe, in the unaccustomed role of scrum half put over a difficult penalty goal in the fourteenth minute followed by two more in the twenty second and twenty fifth minutes, his third being a boomer from long range.

This was the perfect start for the Vale, their confidence soared and with the forwards gaining control the Vale were quick to exploit any gaps that appeared. In the thirty first minute flanker Sam Hoare, who was in outstanding form throughout, touched down for the opening try which was converted by Jamie Antcliffe.

Centre Matt Bennett sliced through for a well taken try in the forty second minute converted again by Jamie Antcliffe to give the Vale a health and deserved half time lead.

Sam Hoare, showing great strength, battled his way over in the fifth minute of the second half after Tom Cvijanovic and Elliot Horner had featured prominently in the build up. Unfortunately the conversion was missed when the ball fell off the kicking tee at a critical moment for Jamie Antcliffe.

Park avoided the whitewash with fifty fourth minute penalty goal but the Vale were on no mood to let their guard drop and lose sight of their objective. This was reinforced when Vale's ever improving young prop, Alex Preston showed a tasty turn of speed after the backs had created an opening, with an unconverted try.

Taylor Matthews underscored a solid performance with a try converted by Jamie Antcliffe in the sixty sixth minute. In a lengthy parody of added time Alex Preston powerfully forced his way over for his brace, converted by the impeccable boot of Jamie Antcliffe.

Despite all the changes that were inflicted on the Vale this was a most combative performance, once everyone had been introduced to each other that is!

Matt Thackeray was rock solid in the centre, en cannon was a reliable, safe full back. Diogo Macedo made a number of dangerous penetrating runs and Elliot Horner presented a physical presence throughout. Stand off Aziz Khaizir was both neat and tidy and organising events outside the scrum without too many frills in a game where all the Vale players, and again many thanks to the University lads who answered Tony's requests, rose superbly to events both on and off the field.