Vale knew they faced a serious challenge at Blundellsands and were under no illusions about the talent and strength to be found within Firwood Waterloo seconds. Certainly the game followed a predictable pattern with the Vale being forced to play for long periods without getting their hands on the ball but they showed tremendous spirit in trying to contain the home side in a contest that turned out to be a real test of character.
Despite losing the services of props Aiden Yates and replacement Taylor Matthews during the action the Vale battled hard none more so than prop Joe Stevens who shouldered the extra responsibility and did his upmost to ensure his side remained competitive in both the sets and loose. Number eight Joe Clarkson again underscored another belligerent performance by winning valuable ball and taking any of the opposition within sight, a constant menace as far as the home side were concerned.
Firwood Waterloo opened the scoring in the eleventh minute following sustained pressure with a converted try. Four minutes later F/W’s elusive, pacey well balanced centre raced away for the first of his three tries which was converted.
Things were looking decidedly bleak for the Vale who struggled to gain so much as toe hold in the game and matters went further downhill with another converted try from the quicksilver centre in the twenty second minute.
Gradually the Vale began to stabilise the situation and their efforts were rewarded when Scott Manning showing great determination went over for a try converted by Aaron Melville. Unfortunately, the half ended with another Firwood Waterloo try following a scrum and pick up by their number eight.
After an early Firwood Waterloo penalty was missed the home side posted another unconverted try in the forty sixth minute. Joe Stevens crowned a fine performance with an unconverted try but Firwood Waterloo quickly responded with a try in the sixty sixth minute when their winger shot through a static defence.
In the seventy fifth minute a second rower for Firwood Waterloo touched down after a forty metre dash for an unconverted try. Four minutes later the dynamic centre collected his hat trick, his try being converted.
As the game moved into stoppage time the quick thinking Pepe de La Sieara went over for an unconverted try to bring an air of respectability to the score line as the seconds went down to their third defeat of the season against a very classy Firwood Waterloo outfit.
Vale now have one more Conference B fixture, at home against Lymm 2 on April 22. However, whatever the outcome the Vale will be playing in the championship next season following a restructuring of the Cotton Traders Premiership Division.