Vale completed the double over Wilmslow with a solid team performance on the Crem pitch, a result that takes them to the top of the Cotton Traders Championship after Lymm’s game was postponed. This Saturday the seconds entertain Lymm in what promises to be a cracker. So far this season honours are even between the two clubs with Lymm winning at Beechwood, 32-26, in September but the Vale victorious in November, 32-27.
Against Wilmslow the Vale made the perfect start with a converted try after two minutes. The pack swarmed after the ball straight from the kick off to maul their way towards Wilmslow’s line which resulted in a try for the alert Joe Stevens. Will Hunt, at stand-off, made a massive contribution with a shrewd intelligent performance, added the conversion.
Unfortunately minutes later the Vale got themselves into a tangle of their own making when they tried to run the ball from deep and gave away a converted try in the fourth minute.
Vale quickly put this set back behind them and started to play with increasing authority and composure. In the fourteenth a flowing attack involving Andy Garnett, Joe Stevens and Kyel Dempsey ended with Fraser Spavin, who had tracked every metre of the attack, touching the ball down, Will Hunt and his immaculate boot, kicked the conversion.
Eleven minutes later the Vale showcased their ability to transfer the ball quickly and efficiently. An attack moved down the right flank after a pick by Andy Garnett. Scrum half Taylor Mills shot away before linking with Matt Field who cut back inside for a quality try converted again by Will Hunt.
Holding a comfortable lead the Vale opted to keep the ball tight which rather played into the hands of Wilmslow’s spirited forwards, Vale’s greatest threat came when they moved the ball wide.
However, Vale’s tactics of using the pack paid dividends in the eighth minute of the second half when Andy Garnett crossed for a try converted by Will Hunt.
Ace five point poacher, Sam Hoare, raced ten metres for a well taken try in the fifty fifth minute converted by Will Hunt.
Wilmslow were compressed in their twenty two for long periods and when a cavernous opening appeared there was no way of halting the progress of Jamie Antcliffe, playing at scrum half, who torpedoed his way over in the fifty seventh minute, Will Hunt again added the extras.
The visitors grabbed a consolation converted try late in the game but by then the seconds had claimed the top spot. On February 10 the two clubs will face one another at Wilmslow in a quarter final of the BEST Cup.
Will Hunt’s all round contribution caught the eye; Taylor Mills was at his usual waspish best until he had to leave at half time because of work commitments. Fraser Spavin also had to drop out at half time because of sickness. Matt Field showed his versatility, Joe Stevens put in a full shift and Adam Foxcroft always posed a threat when he embarked on determined powerful runs.