On their last visit to Moorgate Avenue the seconds recorded a comfortable 47-22 victory back in November, but in the wind and rain they found their opponents a more resolute and well organised outfit which forced the visitors to work hard in a well refereed, physical encounter.
Vale’s forwards were a formidable unit, taking three against the head, winning a high percentage of Rochdale’s line out ball and hungry in the loose. Hooker Richard Hodgson was named man of the match closely followed by prop Aiden Yates with replacements, Isaac Turton and Bob Holbrook making important contributions when they joined the action.
Conditions were not ideal for pinging the ball around because of the high risk element it carried. The Pennine chill factor certainly affected the contribution from the backs who were happy if they managed to retain possession until the arrival of the cavalry.
Rochdale opened the scoring with an early penalty goal but despite Vale’s forward power they were unable to set the agenda to their satisfaction in the opening exchanges.
A second Rochdale penalty in the twenty fifth minute was a sharp reminder that the Vale had plenty of work ahead of them. When Vale were awarded a penalty deep in Rochdale’s twenty two, and before anyone could react, scrum half Pepe de La Sieara took a quick tap and in a flash of quicksilver he slipped through for a try converted by Aaron Melville.
Just before the interval Rochdale squeezed back into the lead with a third penalty.
Vale’s work rate moved up a gear in the second half and in the forty ninth minute they went back into the lead with a forty metre penalty goal from Aaron Melville.
Suddenly the Vale began to play with authority but they could never quite shake of the shackles because whenever the ball went loose Rochdale always posed a threat.
Vale received a let off when a Rochdale penalty kick at goal failed to find it target in the fifty first minute. However, Aaron Melville was more successful in the sixty eighth minute when his penalty edged the Vale further ahead.
A four point lead is notoriously difficult to defend and Rochdale knew for them it was not mission impossible, while the Vale could not afford to let their concentration wander or take their eyes off the ball.
Any thoughts of a defeat were firmly put to rest when Aiden Yates set off on determined gallop that resulted in Rhys Randall diving over for an unconverted try in the eightieth minute.
Vale now have a week’s break from their Conference B programme before their testing away game against Preston Grasshoppers 3, a side they had the satisfaction of defeating at The Lane, 33-7, in December.