For their second visit to Powderhouse Lane this season Preston Grasshoppers 3 failed to send along a full complement of players forcing the Vale once again to loan them players to comply with a regulation that ensures a competitive game will evolve with no risks to player’s safety.

Unfortunately the contest developed into a one sided affair and to add to an unsatisfactory situation once the game had passed the hour mark the referee blew for full time to deny the Vale the opportunity to reach the century.

The writing was on the wall for Hoppers straight from the whistle because after forty seconds Fraser Spavin scored wide out after Adam Foxcroft had collected the ball from the kick off, Alex Briggs added the conversion.

In the third minute the ball was again moved wide, this time to the opposite flank where Ryan Busby touched down for an unconverted try. A rampant Vale continued to pile on the agony when the hard running Sam Hoare added to the try count in the sixth minute, followed by a brace from Scott Manning, whose straight line running was most effective against an uncertain defence.

One of his tries was converted by Ryan Busby who also added the extras for Matt Field’s try in the sixteenth minute. At the conclusion of the opening quarter Adam Macluskie went over for an unconverted try to bring the Vale’s points to 41 in double quick time.

Vale started to ring the changes and some of the previous momentum slipped out of their game because it took the replacements a while to bed in. There was a long time lapse before the Vale regained their previous dominance but before the interval the four star fuel was making its presence felt.

“Big Sam” and Charlie Lomas helped themselves to tries, with both being converted by Ryan Busby. Early in the second half Charlie Lomas crossed again, Alex Briggs put over the conversion and then converted Adam Foxcroft’s popular try.

In the fifty fourth minute Scott Manning engraved his name on the hat trick jug followed two minutes later with another moniker when Sam Hoare’s try ensured a second brimming tankard would be filled and waiting on the bar, Alex Briggs converted.

Adam Macluskie scored the final try and a minute later the referee’s whistle signalled the end of a game that was comprehensively decided in the first twenty minutes.

Vale’s defence held firm as for the third time against Hoppers they prevented their opponents from scoring any points, and in addition they had racked up 221 points; not a bad haul against their longstanding rival from Lightfoot Green.
Many thanks to Sarah Baines for the splendid photograph.

Report by Stuart Vernon. He apologises for the lateness, computer problems!!