This was another impressive Vale victory built on the ample, broad shoulders of a robust pack that held a vice like grip on the game and for the third time this season the Vale prevented the opposition from scoring.
When the first team game was called off the seconds were able to avail themselves of the services of coach Dan Williams who took the players through an intensive pre match warm up while during the game his tactical acumen ensured the Vale remained in control as the events unfolded.
Also in attendance were physio Hannah O’Connor and a bevy of first team players who brought extra valuable off-field support to the Seconds. If people are trying to put their finger why there is so much spirit within the club at the moment then the back up the Seconds received at Lightfoot Green was a visibly statements of a united club, some of the old barriers that had separated the sides in the past are being broken down.
Victory was secured around a formidable forward performance with the magnificent eight contributing six of the seven tries. Overall it was a day when the backs were cast in a secondary role and with the forwards bossing the shop floor the threequarters found it difficult to impose themselves. The match statistician noted that winger Jordan Fern had to wait until the seventy eighth minute before receiving his first pass!
Although the backs endured a frustrating eighty minutes the forwards revelled in the situation that unfolded before them to secure a victory that was important for the whole squad and they slapped their cards firmly on the table in the opening minute. Prop Aiden Yates blasted his way over dozer style, for a try converted by Alex Briggs.
After the game Aiden was named Vale’s man of the match by the hosts, he downed the obligatory pint in record time before his opponent had taken the first gulp of the amber nectar.
There was no relaxing for the Vale, their forward superiority was present from early doors and they continuously hammered away at Preston’s defences. Matt Field and Joe Stevens made powerful contributions in all areas, while the back row of Andy Garnett, Isaac Turton and Fraser Spavin were a dangerous, effective trio that ensued Preston were given little time to marshal their resources.
In the twelfth minute Rhys Randall, who was in superb form, took the ball cleanly at a line out to batter his way over for a try which Alex Briggs converted via an upright. With such Vale dominance it is not hard to imagine that at some stage Sam Hoare would not want a slice of the try cake and sure enough right on cue he broke off the base of a forward drive for his helping of el pastel, Alex Briggs again converted in the twentieth minute.
Further tries were scored in the half by Rhys Randall in the twenty sixth minute and just before half time Joe Stevens collected the try his efforts so thoroughly deserved; Alex Briggs converted both.
Vale faced playing into strong wind in the second half but they coped efficiently with the elements and adapted their game plan accordingly.
Sam Hoare made another successful visit to the cake stand in the forty second minute with Alex Briggs again adding the extras, neatly sweepings up the crumbs. Preston began to come more and more into the game but despite enjoying periods of possession they were unable to break down a disciplined Vale defensive net work.
In the closing minutes scrum half Taylor Mills accelerated into the wide open spaces for a try to put the backs on the score log, Alex Briggs’ conversion attempt just veered wide of the posts to end a game in which the Vale were not going to be deflected off course as the pack plotted the way to victory.