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2nd XV
Matches
Sat 21 Jan 2017  ·  Conference B
Wilmslow 2
29
21
Vale of Lune RUFC
2nd XV
DING! DONG!

DING! DONG!

Stuart Vernon23 Jan 2017 - 07:56

Seconds make the Conference B leaders work hard to remain on top.

Wilmslow were unrecognisable from the side Vale beat at Wilmslow last October by 60 – 5. No first team fixture and a couple of New Zealand exchange students meant the side had been significantly strengthened to ensure Wilmslow retained their position at the top of Conference B league of the Premier division. Certainly the wholesale changes made to the Wilmslow side strengthened their second team but the game as a whole was a worthy testament to the tenacity and resilience of the Vale team. The return fixture at Powderhouse Lane on 4th March is eagerly awaited to assess the true strength of the Wilmslow second team squad.
The opening few minutes of the game was end to end stuff with neither side holding dominance. Both sets of forwards were lively in the contact area, defences held firm and attacks constructive and testing.
In the 10th minute, Vale’s number 6, Spavin caught the Wilmslow defence flat footed from a quick tap penalty just outside the Wilmslow 22. Wilmslow were slow to organise their defence and Spavin took full advantage to spot an opportunity to blast across the goal line and under the posts to make Aaron Melville’s’ subsequent conversion that much easier.
Wilmslow struck back in the 22nd minute through their number 8 who finished off a very good phase by the Wilmslow pack, pulling in Vale defenders to the driving maul with the 8 hitting a hard line on the Vale defensive fringes to score their opening try. The conversion was missed leaving the scores at 5 - 7 in Vale’s favour.
On the 30th minute the New Zealand outside centre showed great awareness to break through the Vale threequarters defence. Excellent running lines and handling by the 13 handed an easy try to his team mate close to the Vale uprights. The conversion was kicked handing the advantage back to Wilmslow 12 – 7.
A penalty kick on 35 minutes by Aaron Melville missed its target and hopes of closing the score line.
Just before half time and after some ferocious exchanges between both sets of forwards Vale were awarded a penalty try by the referee after continuous infringements by the Wilmslow 8 at scrums. The conversion was kicked resulting in a half time lead of 12 – 14 to Vale.
The second half started as the first had finished with both teams pushing for dominance up front. In the 46th minute a missed tackle on the Vale 10 metre line allowed Wilmslow to break the defensive cordon to score a converted try under the posts.
A Wilmslow penalty for Vale not releasing in the tackle area on the 50th minute was missed.
Scores were now standing at 19 -14 to Wilmslow with the game still very much in the balance.
Wilmslow tries on the 65th and 70th minute were unfortunate lapses for Vale which handed the initiative back to Wilmslow. One conversion missed one kicked left the score at 29 – 14 to Wilmslow.
Vale, not finished by a long way, came back at Wilmslow hard through their forwards again. It was left to Sam Hoare, the Vale 8, to register the final score with a powerful surge from the back of a ruck to carry him over for a fine score. The conversion was kicked putting the final score at 29-21. Vale will rue letting another half time lead slip but there was enough evidence in this game to show that there is plenty of fire and determination within the Vale ranks to ensure that the team remains positive and highly competitive.
Squad: Stevens, Hodgson, Yates, Hadlington (Capt), Fellows Spavin, Turton, S.V.Hoare, P. de la Sierra, Melville, Fern, Wallbank, Higgin, Aziz, Antcliffe, Field, Clarke, Cvijanovic.
Many thanks to Tony Gilmour for finding the time to provide this match report.

Match details

Match date

Sat 21 Jan 2017

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

Conference B

League position

1
Wilmslow 2
Further reading

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