After their disappointing performance against Caldy 2 the previous week Vale seconds produced a far more bullish and upbeat exhibition against a fit, fast, exciting Sale outfit and only in the closing ten minutes did the home side show signs of fatigue which allowed the visitors to post a final score line that did not quite reflected the heroic shift put in by their hosts.
Vale were superbly led by skipper Adam Foxcroft who stamped his authority on the game straight from the kick off with his uncompromising tackling, his control in the line out, to become a real inspiration from those around him. In a much changed Vale side there were massive contributions from prop Euan Hutchinson, back rowers Tom Thatcher, Luke Bell and Alfie Bolton a snapping trio of ankle biting terriers and Ethan Robinson in the centre. As always hooker Richard Hodgson was never far from the action, full back Chris Ramwell was a constant threat with his ability to launch counter attacks from deep, while Josh Lea, who was plucked out of the third team at the last minute, quickly made his presence felt. Despite suffering with a broken hand Petar Alexov threw himself whole heartedly into the thick of the action when he was summoned from the bench.
Referee Asif MahMood, who was in charge of Vale seconds for the first time was in action early on as Sale rattled their way to a 12-0 lead after five minutes, with two swiftly taken tries, the second one being open to debate, but Sale’s left winger did not hang around to join in the conversation, sweeping up the loose ball for a fifth minute converted try.
Vale put these early setbacks behind then and with the skipper Adam Foxcroft at the helm his shipmates began to haul themselves into the game. Chris Ramwell breezed away for a seventy metre solo try converted by Alex Briggs in the twenty sixth minute and while Sale contemplated what had befallen them Chris Ramwell struck again two minutes later with piratical run, this time from half way, for his try which was again converted by Alex Briggs.
Sale were obviously miffed by having their noses tweaked by these pesky Lancastrians and hit back via their dangerous and talented number thirteen who hammered his way through for a brace of tries, in the thirtieth and thirty second minutes, one of which was converted.
However, the Vale had the last word in what had been an engrossing half when replacement, Jamie Antcliffe, grabbed a slice of action to sprint away unopposed for a try converted by Alex Briggs from a difficult angle in the fifth minute of added time to keep the Jolly Roger fluttering.
Suddenly Vale found themselves within touching distance of Sale’s lead and began the second forty strongly with confidence high, but in the fiftieth and fifty ninth minutes Sale moved into calmer waters with two tries, one of which was converted.
In the sixty fifth minute Alex Briggs nipped over for a try which he converted but as the game moved into the closing ten minutes Vale’s fitness levels began to droop as Sale upped their work rate to complete their scoring with three converted tries.
Overall it had been a Vale performance that had not only restored some pride but also emphasis ed the depth of talent and commitment to be found within the club in what appears to be a challenging season which has been vividly highlighted in the early games.
Match report filed by Stuart Vernon. Notes supplied by Reg Robinson.