BackSat 03 Sep 2016 ·  Premier
2nd XV
2nd XV
31
7
TAKE A DESERVED BOW.
Stuart Vernon5 Sep 2016 - 08:17
The first examination of the season produced a number of plus points.
Down the long avenues of time Vale sides travelling to the Memorial ground at Blundellsands have suffered may set backs in a challenging environment, so the second team's fixture against Firwood Waterloo presented them with the eternal problems associated with encounters at L23 8TW.
Regardless of the history a relatively inexperienced Vale side rose to the occasion and despite some dire predictions off stage, they produced a terrific spirited performance, never taking a backward step and restricting the home side to five tries.
As was to be expected Firwood Waterloo set of a merry lick on the main pitch but the Vale weathered the early storm and began to play with increasing confidence to frustrate the home side who led 17-0 at half time.
The second half began positively for the Vale who posted a superb, deserved try. Man of the match Kyel Dempsey touched between the posts after an invigorating passage of rugby, Neil Walker, who showed some subtle touches throughout, converted.
This score gave the hosts food for thought because the determination and intensity shown by the Vale following their seven pointer suggested that the outcome was now in the balance.
Both sets of combatants realised that the next score would be decisive and they all harnessed their resources to determine the outcome. Firwood Waterloo clinched victory with two converted tries but they had to work hard for their points.
The disappointment of defeat always hurts but the Vale squad should not feel too downhearted after such a tenacious performance. Flanker Sam Hoare was a fierce, uncompromising opponent, Bob Mudd was at his irritatingly, waspish best, and as usual, in the thick of the action. Ben Cannon was alert to every opportunity to put his side on the front foot as was Rob O'Brien, but it was the interlocking unity displayed by the whole squad, young or old, who rose to the confrontation at a venue where so many dreams have been shattered.
Vale 2: A Melville; S Charnley, J fern, D Helme, K Dempsey; N Walker, J Baldwin; B Cannon, G McSporran, R O'Brien; H fellows, R Mudd; S Hoare, J Wallbank, N Bennett. Replacements: M field, C Helme, Luke.
Regardless of the history a relatively inexperienced Vale side rose to the occasion and despite some dire predictions off stage, they produced a terrific spirited performance, never taking a backward step and restricting the home side to five tries.
As was to be expected Firwood Waterloo set of a merry lick on the main pitch but the Vale weathered the early storm and began to play with increasing confidence to frustrate the home side who led 17-0 at half time.
The second half began positively for the Vale who posted a superb, deserved try. Man of the match Kyel Dempsey touched between the posts after an invigorating passage of rugby, Neil Walker, who showed some subtle touches throughout, converted.
This score gave the hosts food for thought because the determination and intensity shown by the Vale following their seven pointer suggested that the outcome was now in the balance.
Both sets of combatants realised that the next score would be decisive and they all harnessed their resources to determine the outcome. Firwood Waterloo clinched victory with two converted tries but they had to work hard for their points.
The disappointment of defeat always hurts but the Vale squad should not feel too downhearted after such a tenacious performance. Flanker Sam Hoare was a fierce, uncompromising opponent, Bob Mudd was at his irritatingly, waspish best, and as usual, in the thick of the action. Ben Cannon was alert to every opportunity to put his side on the front foot as was Rob O'Brien, but it was the interlocking unity displayed by the whole squad, young or old, who rose to the confrontation at a venue where so many dreams have been shattered.
Vale 2: A Melville; S Charnley, J fern, D Helme, K Dempsey; N Walker, J Baldwin; B Cannon, G McSporran, R O'Brien; H fellows, R Mudd; S Hoare, J Wallbank, N Bennett. Replacements: M field, C Helme, Luke.
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