Having big Farny back and his immense enthusiasm showed in the effort that the pack produced. There were excellent performances from James Hesketh and Issac Turton which were rewarded with both of them scoring tries. At one stage it looked like the talented Macc side would run away with the game but a fighting performance in the 4th quarter of the game stopped Macc in their tracks.
With new players from Lancaster Uni, Andy Laverick and Huw Marsden and Phil Berry a newcomer from Warrington included in the Vale side there were encouraging signs for the Vale second string.

At the start of the game it was fairly even with both sides testing the other out. After 10 minutes a super move from the Macc backs brought their full back steaming through a hole in the centre to go over under the posts. The 10 converted and Macc were in the ascendancy.
Vale battled back and in the 21st minute were awarded a penalty which full back Gareth Price popped over to put Vale on the board.
Unfortunately soon after that Adam Foxcroft had to leave the pitch with a shoulder injury. This gave Huw Marsden an early introduction into the boiler house. Shortly after this a bullocking run by James Hesketh was rewarded when he touched down dragging a few of the Macc players with him. Price converted to give Vale a 10 – 7 lead. Unfortunately in the lead up to the try Phil Jackson was injured and had to leave the field with rib injuries, Josh O’Donnell replacing him. Shortly after this in the 33rd minute Macc were awarded a penalty which the flyhalf proceeded to pop over to even up the proceedings.
Shortly after that the Vale backed off the tackles giving space to a flying left winger who sailed round the Vale cover to touch down under the posts. The fly half duly converted to give Macc a 17 – 10 lead.
On the stroke of half time Vale were awarded another penalty but Price’s kick was a bit wayward.

The Vale now had to face the breeze which had increased in velocity during the first half and Macc started the second half like an express train. Within a minute they had increased their lead when their no. 4 lock powered his way over close to the sticks, again the 10 converted.
Within another 3 minutes Macc increased their lead when the 13 swept through the centre to go under the posts and the fly half again added the extras.
Again with another five minutes gone Vale were shocked when the blindside flanker went over from close range, this time the 10 failed to convert.
Vale were rocking and another sweeping move was completed by the flying left winger for another unconverted try. Now 10 - 41 down and worse was to follow when Lawrence Wallace who had performed well in the centre for Vale had to go off with a leg injury, Ali Richards replacing him. 52 minutes gone, four tries conceded since half time and all the replacements were on the field, couldn’t be much worse.
This was when the Vale raised their game and dug in. The pack battled hard but they were hampered with the number of turnovers they were conceding. The backs tackled well stopping Macc from using their flyer. They stuck at it and drove towards the Macc line. Another drive, again with Hesketh to the fore ended when Turton emerged as the scorer from a good maul over the Macc line. Price hit the bar with the conversion but it refused to go over, but it showed there was still life in the Vale pack.
Farny was taking some good balls at the front of the line but unusually other lineout balls were being lost.
At least the Macc try scoring machine had been halted and the Vale were now competing well.
In the 73rd minute a penalty to the corner, a good take by Farny a flick out to Turton saw him go over again. Just deserts for all his efforts. Price couldn’t convert but at least Vale were contesting well.
Macc were to have the last word however when in the 82nd minute the Macc flyer completed his hat-trick when he picked up a loose ball after Vale had made some good tackles and dashed over the line. The 10 converting to give Macc a 48 – 20 win.
It was a most encouraging display by the Vale second string but more injuries were not what were wanted. Hopefully the University connection will produce even more players to assist the Vale in their hour of need.
With four defeats from four games the aim of a top half finish in the first half of the season is looking a long way away.
With a long trip to Caldy next week hopefully the results will follow last seasons against them when Vale won twice at Caldy.
Referee Antony Bentham had an excellent game, his reading of the game and fitness keeping him well ahead of all the events that happened. He was completely in charge and allowed the game to flow.
It was good to see Alastair Richards on his final appearance turning out before he leaves for Germany. Good luck Ali in your new venture.

Vale Team:
P Jackson, D Schuyler, L Jackson; L Farnworth (C), A Foxcroft; J Hesketh, I Turton, A Wilkinson; J Whyke,
K Doyle; R Docton, L Wallace, A Laverick, P Berry; G Price.
Replacements:
J O’Donnell, H Marsden, A Richards.

Referee:
Antony Bentham. Manchester & District Society.