A tight game was expected at Vales Powderhouse Lane ground as the bottom two sides in the Cotton Traders Premier League were set to fight it out. Once again the Vale XV were faced with changes, on a pitch, considering the conditions over the past couple of days was in immaculate condition.
Vale/ Hoppers games are always played with exceptional enthusiasm and today proved to be the case. Two XVs battling it out with no quarter given.
From the start of the game the Hoppers XV exerted immense pressure on the home side and some stout defensive work kept the busy Hoppers side from scoring. At the fore was Bobby Holdbrook who was enjoying an immense game. The tackling throughout the side was terrific, and it needed to be, to keep the physical Hoppers side out. They did pressure the Vale and it needed a covering touchdown by winger Jordan Fern who showed exceptional pace to beat the attacking Hoppers side to the touch down.
The pressure from the Hoppers side continued and it was proving difficult for the Vale XV to break out. After 15 minutes of continuous pressure Hoppers touched down under the posts score 7 points to Nil points.
Bobby Holdbrook was showing great strength making a number of drives forward into the heart of the Hoppers side as the Vale side gathered some composure and eventually started to press on the Hoppers line.
The Vale were meeting a number of injuries, Dan Rainford and Adam Newton both having strong games had to leave the field. This disruption didn’t help the Vales endeavours as they at this time were pressing on the Hoppers line.
Both sides were working hard as the “night” was drawing in. Richard Hodgson, Oli Cowey and James Hesketh were proving to be a steady front row but also offering some real defensive tackling in the loose apart from being involved in some physical drives into the heart of the Hoppers side.
The 1st half after 7 minutes of extra time drew to a close with the score set at 7 pts to 0 pts to Hoppers.
Matt Field had come on for Dan Rainford and immediately got stuck in to the Hoppers XV. Petar Alexov was enjoying a physical game and offering real problems as he worked hard to take on the Hoppers defence.
3 minutes into the 2nd half and with the Vale pressing on the Hoppers line Skipper Scott Manning who was managing the side and the game well decided to cross kick to the banking touch. The speedy Jordan Fern was on hand to collect the kick and score wide out. The score now 7 pts to 5 pts to Hoppers.
A period of close, in many ways scrappy Rugby, continued Nathan Manning who was having a fine game along with Ollie Johnson made some effective breaks up the field. Referee Asif Mahmood on his 3rd visit to the Club in the past 5 weeks was finding it a difficult game to handle, but after 20 minutes of the 2nd half he penalized Hoppers on their 10 metre line. Should the Vale take a scrummage, should Skipper Scott Manning go for touch, should we go for goal bearing in mind the distance. Up stepped Ryan Fawcett who is finding his feet in the side, and at this level, to go for goal. His confidence is growing week on week. A superb kick sailed over to put the Vale ahead at 8 pts to 7 pts.
Again the game developed into a period of scrappy rugby which could be attributed to the conditions apart from the fact two enthusiastic sides were battling it out to go for the jugular.
With 15 minutes to go Hoppers drove the ball up the field and gained a disputed touch decision. The Vale lineout was not functioning effectively at this stage, both Dan Rainford and subsequently Al Crookall had left the field. Bobby Holdbrook was proving to be an effective jumper in the lineout but the two weighty lads had left the field.
From the resultant lineout the Hoppers side drove towards the line and gained the touchdown to take the score to 12 pts to 8 pts. The resultant conversion was successful the score 14 points to 8 points.
Disruptions in the Vale XV weren’t helping. Harry Finan who is proving a fine link at fly half had to leave the field with a recurring shoulder injury, already Dan Rainford and Al Crookall had left injured and Adam Newton followed.
Vale now move to the foot of the table on goal difference to Hoppers one place above them. A number of players stood out on the day. Taylor Mills was cleaning up well at the base, Harry Finan was displaying skill at fly half until he had to leave the field. The whole pack were fighting well against a Hoppers pack which clearly had been strengthened since previous encounter at their Hoppers ground.
Nathan Manning (his tackling was textbook)and Jordan Fern were acquitting themselves efficiently on the wings and Kyel Dempsey and Ryan Fawcett were showing tremendous defensive work in the middle.
Skipper Scott Manning started at Full Back then moved to fly half. His pace, his reading of the game and his organizational skills are a vital asset to the side.
Both sides produced a competitive game, the energy shown considering the conditions was something to be seen.
A great game is in prospect when the Hoppers re-visit Powderhouse Lane in The Robinsons Brewery Cup Competition on the 26th January.
Referee Asif Mahmood enjoyed a good game and we’ll see him back at the Vale soon.
The Vale XV
1 Oli Cowey
2 Richard Hodgson
3 James Hesketh
4 Dan Rainford
5 Al Crookall
6 Bobby Holdbrook
8 Adam Newton
7 Petar Alexov
9 Taylor Mills
10 Harry Finan
11 Jordan Fern
12 Ryan Fawcett
13 Kyel Dempsey
14 Nathan Manning
15 Scott Manning (Capt.)
16 Mark Henderson
17 Matt Field
18 Ollie Johnson
Thanks to Fred Swarbrick for this great match report and Tony North for his excellent photographs.