Injury hit Vale have faced a number of challenging fixtures in recent weeks but despite all their difficulties they have produced some determined creditable performances and spirits have remained high.

Such was the case against a well organised Burnage side who were forced to work hard for their victory, only putting daylight between themselves and the hosts in the closing ten minutes.

A Gareth Price penalty goal opened the scoring for the Vale in the second minute but the visitor’s dangerous back division created the space for a converted try ten minutes later.

Price added a second penalty at the mid way point before another powerful Burnage surge down the centre produced another converted try. Burnage were pegged back by another Price penalty and although hooker David Schuyler had to be replaced the Vale were always in contention.

All their hard work was rewarded with a try from debutant centre Ollie Simmons early in the second half after a splendid break from Rob Ward, Price converting to edge the Vale ahead.

Burnage swept back into the lead courtesy of a try from their strong running centre to leave the game evenly poised. The visitors eventually broke down the a stubborn Vale defence by registering two well taken converted tries, but the Vale’s efforts were rewarded with a Ben Charnley try after a passage of excellent accurate passing, Price added the conversion in injury time.

Kieran Doyle played with his usual authority throughout, while Issac Turton marked his return to the colours with a commendable performance. In the pack Matt field again impressed with his scrummaging ability, as did his fellow prop, Alex Cowey, before he had to be replaced. Replacement “Chesney” Power showed his potential when he came on as a replacement threequarter.

Vale travel to Penrith on Saturday to take on the club who are currently at the foot of the table, no doubt boosted by the return to fitness of a number of their players and some exciting new comers who have made their presence felt.

Vale A: G Price; R Bowen, O Simmonds, R Ward, W Blythe; K Doyle. J Whyke; M Field, D Schuyler, A Cowey; A Foxcroft, L McCullough; B Charnley, I Turton, T Smith Replacements used: L Farnworth, P Watson, L Power.