The seconds finished part one of their Cotton Traders Premier League season on a high note with a deserved victory over their long standing rivals. A dominant Vale pack set their stall out in the scrums and line outs and were pretty lively in the loose. Lock Sam Hadlington had an outstanding game and was named man of the match; he received support from Harry Fellows, Isaac Turton and Bernardo Benshimol.
Although the forwards took the eye, Scott Manning led the backs with his usual total commitment and ensured those around him remained on task, in particular when Preston staged a late rally.
The visitors opened the scoring with a converted try in the fourteenth minute after a powerful surge from a line out. Vale took little time to dwell too long on this set back because they levelled in the seventeenth minute.
The ball was passed crossfield with a combination of accuracy and fluidity and when winger Maxine Chevot received the final pass his straight line speed enabled him to leave opponents trailing in his wake, Neil Walker added the two points with a superb kick.
A rampaging Vale went into the lead two minutes later when Scott Manning imperiously craved his way through Preston’s defence for a try again converted by Neil Walker.
With confidence flowing throughout the Vale side and in the final ten minutes Vale’s pack, who were calling all the shots, produced a powerful mud churning run that allowed Harry Fellows to charge over from ten metres with Neil Walker once more doing the honours in the thirty first minute.
Holding a convincing lead the Vale went in search of further points in the second half to add to their haul but had to wait until the sixty third minute for their next score.
Once more the ball was moved around to stretch Preston’s defence as players unselfishly shipped the ball on to allow Matt Shaw the opportunity to score wide out which was converted by Neil Walker with the minimum of fuss.
Vale’s final try was posted eight minute later with another flourish when Isaac Turton’ s labours were rewarded with a try but this time the booming boot off Neil Walker was off target, his kick only missing by centimetres.
Preston came back strongly to test Vale’s defence, the temperature started to rise, common sense prevailed, Vale’s discipline held firm to end the year on a victorious note.