Two sides with contrasting styles faced each other at Powderhouse Lane with the Vale's forwards enjoying parity but outside the scrum in the wide open spaces, the flying Chester threequarters came very much into their own.
In a feisty encounter, full of endeavour, the Vale played with great purpose, their heads remained high throughout and although Chester always posed a threat the visitors were forced to work hard for their victory. Overall, despite a loss, the Vale can feel justifiably proud of their efforts.
Man of the match Scott Manning tackled ferociously throughout and was a constant thorn in Chester's side, in particular when he had ball in hand. However, it was the industrious Vale forwards who took centre stage and fully deserved the high fives from their comrades at the end. As a unit they carried out the game plan to the letter, putting in a massive shift to ensure that Chester were not granted the freedom of the park.
The opening quarter was highly competitive, hard but fair, with the Vale putting the first points on the board. Scott Manning entered the line at pace, he swatted away the tacklers in a powerful super-charged run for the line; his try being converted by Jamie Antcliffe.
There was little time to reflect on the score or even to consolidate the lead because the Vale were rocked when a bemused Ben Charnley was sent to the sin bin in the twenty eighth minute. Chester took full advantage of having an extra player by running in a converted try.
Suddenly Chester became a different animal, they took the game to the Vale with extra urgency and before half time their rampaging number eight collected a brace of tries, one of which was converted.
Chester treated the Vale with respect and although they held a twelve point lead they successfully kicked a penalty goal early in the second half as an extra insurance policy against a Vale fight back.
But there was no way that Chester were going to run away with the game and even when Harry Fellows, who looked at home in the second row, was shown a yellow card, they were unable to exploit fully Vale's predicament.
In the fifty eighth minute the fleet footed Chester backs opened up the Vale's overworked defence for a converted try to complete the scoring.
October has proved to be a productive month for the seconds with a fifty percent return, both confidence and players are returning, new comers have risen to the challenge of competing in a very demanding league where high standards are set on both skill an fitness levels. Certainly when facing the top teams there are few hiding places.
Vale's next three games, beginning with a trip to Sedgley Park followed by a visit to Sale and a home encounter against Fylde, will most certainly present a stiff examination for all the players, regardless of their experience.