To say that the second team have been pummelled, squeezed, stretched, buffeted, stirred and shaken by their opponents in their opening five games would not be too far wide of the mark but in their sixth outing their fortitude in the face of adversity paid off with a handsome victory.
Throughout the opening games the towel has never been thrown in and even during the darkest periods there was a flickering spark that could not be extinguished so against Stockport the flame burnt brightly and shone on the faces of those hardy band of brothers who have stuck together since the beginning of this season' campaign.
It turned out to be a lip smacking experience for the forwards with six of the company featuring on the try scoring sheet. Scrum half Olly Dobson used his pace and glinting eagle eyes for spotting any gaps to haul in a stylish hat trick of tries.
Vale's opening try, the first of 11 on the day, arrived in the fourth minute when Josh O'Donnell marked his return to the 15 a side code with a try which Jamie Antcliffe chipping over the conversion. Unfortunately the home side's euphoria quick melted away five minutes later when Stockport's scrum half drifted through a huge gap for a converted try.
However, the Vale quickly regrouped as their forward started to set the agenda and following a try from man if the match, Sam Hadlington, converted by Jamie Antcliffe in the sixteenth minute there was no going back.
Further tries were racked up before the interval from Isaac Turton, a brace from the mercurial Olly Dobson and prop Aiden Yates who played with increasing confidence throughout.
It took the Vale a while to recapture their first half form but a second try from Aiden Yates set them on their merry way in the forty fifth minute.
Dominic Lane, who impressed at number eight throughout, broke from a scrum for a neatly taken try. Joe Clarkson darted over for his try and Tom Cvijanovic crowned another hard grafting game with a try but it was fitting that the final try was scored by Olly Dobson who left everyone trailing in his wake as he accelerated down the right wing.
Jamie Antcliffe converted all the second half tries, but in the latter stages of the half the Vale knocked the gear leaver into neutral, but by then the Vale's large, mobile pack, had completed all the groundwork to break down the opposition.
This was much needed victory after five weeks of frustration that tested the character of the players involved.