Vale's testing start to the season continues following their defeat at Lymm but despite the final score line a number of positives emerged because for long periods, in both halves, they worked hard to gain possession to create chances but were unable to press home some promising attacks.
Unfortunately at the end of the day tackles were missed at crucial times in the contest and wrong options were chosen in the heat of the battle. In addition, because of injuries, the Vale were forced to play the closing twenty minutes with only thirteen players and at this stage their fitness levels came under intense scrutiny.
For the second week in succession scum half Taylor Mills produced another performance full of courage, conviction and class and thoroughly deserved to be named man of the match. The back row, comprising. Sam Hoare, Isaac Turton and Dominic Lane also pushed themselves to the limits, while Tom Cvijanovic efficiently claimed valuable line out ball, with support from hooker Richard Hodgson. Centre Scott Manning's tackle count was only equalled by that of Isaac's.
Playing with wind behind them and down the slope Lymm opened their account in the ninth minute but the Vale worked extremely hard in all areas to prevent any further damage until the twenty sixth minute when the home side's forwards mauled their way over for a converted try.
In the closing ten minutes Vale's lack of concentration was punished as Lymm added three further tries, two of which were converted, to give them a rather flattering lead.
All the Vale's praiseworthy efforts in the opening exchanges of the second half failed to yield any points, which was a pity because they deserved a slice of the cake after all their efforts.
Just as the Vale were achieving a toe hold in the game and some parity a long range, breakaway try extended Lymm's lead to make Vale' task even harder.
Vale continued to take the game to Lymm, their commitment could not be faulted, but as the injuries began to mount their 16 man squad came under increasing pressure and the score inexorably started to mount as Lymm went onto collect a fifty plus victory with three more tries, two being converted.
Vale 2: M Field, R Hodgson, J Stevens; D Rainford (Capt), T Cvijanovic; S Hoare, I Turton, D Lane; T Mills, N Walker; J Fearn, S Manning, S Charnock, J Baldwin; A Melville. Replacement: R Mudd.