Vale's multi national second team, assembled by the Herculean efforts of Tony Gilmour, consolidated their second place in Conference B with another efficient performance by playing to their forward strengths.

In a game that veered in the direction of ten man rugby and with Kieron Doyle directing operations at stand off they had a firm hand on the tiller. However, it was far from a dour encounter because there was some flair and imagination to be found in both sides, with the Vale's tenacity ensuring that Stockport's threequarters operated on a restricted diet throughout and their number ten could not influence proceedings, thanks to the close attentions of the marauding Andy Garnett, Danny Lin and Tom Cvijanovic.

Playing in the wind the Vale set a cracking pace from the outset and within three minutes had posted their first score. Kyel Dempsey took confidently took on the defenders, breaking through tackles on his way to a splendid individual try between the posts, converted by Jamie Antcliffe.

A lapse in concentration by the Vale was punished in the sixteenth minute when from a catch and drive Stockport collected an unconverted try. Vale quickly put behind them this hiccup and with their forwards fully harnessed up for the task ahead they pinned Stockport down. Jamie Antcliffe kicked a penalty in the twentieth minute nudged the Vale ahead.

Unfortunately the Vale again relaxed. They conceded a penalty and were pushed back downfield to give away another penalty. While they were trying to sort things out Stockport added a second unconverted try.

The half ended on a frustrating note for the Vale, who despite their iron grip in the closing minutes, were unable to engineer a break through, but within five minute of the restart they regained the lead with a Jamie Antcliffe penalty.

With the elements in their favour and the trusty boot of Kieron Doyle, who having quite an armchair ride behind his hard grafting forwards, the Vale were able to turn the screw to good effect.

Alex Preston, who ranges far and wide for a prop, suddenly appeared on the left wing in the fifty seventh minute for a well taken impish unconverted try. Jamie Antcliffe completed the scoring in the sixty sixth minute with a penalty but Vale's dominant forwards gave away a number of penalties in the final minute that became a source of bemusement in the deep recesses of the pack.

Overall it was another pleasing performance from the Vale who fully deserved their victory by sticking to a sensible game plan. Lock forward Sam Hoare produced an outstanding performance, Sam Hadington worked hard throughout, prop Jack Ferguson, in borrowed boots, stepped up to the plate, while the back row carried out their duties relentlessly.

It was not a day for the backs but they also played a part, as did the replacements and not forgetting the contingent from Lancaster University.