The seconds ended part one of their season with a deserved victory against a strong Macclesfield outfit that had defeated the Vale 48-19 at the beginning of October. It was a most satisfying win because it was the second in succession and lifted them and lifted them higher up the table.
After a disastrous start to the season the seconds have achieved some stability but they are fully aware that some testing fixtures await them in the New Year.
Macclesfield, playing with the elements in the first half, posed a threat straight from the kick off and after seven minutes opened their account with a well worked move that stretched the Vale who eventually ran out of cover to concede an unconverted try.
Five minutes later the scores were level with an unconverted try that confirmed that sportsmanship is still very much alive even in the heat of battle. Adam Newton chased down a kick and appeared to have touched the ball down in the same instance that Macclesfield’s number fifteen swept the ball into touch. The referee ruled no try but Macclesfield’s touch judge informed the referee, who was slightly unsighted, that the ball had been grounded and thanks to this gentleman’s intervention the decision was reversed. This was a big call from a big man, confirming that chivalry still has its place in the modern world.
In a tight game played in horrible, cold, wet conditions both defences were superb and even when Oli Cowey was shown a yellow card in the latter stages of the half the visitors were unable to gain any noticeable advantage because the Vale’s tackling and covering became even more ferocious.
Vale had the elements behind them in the second half but the Macclesfield retained their composure and were quick to nip in the bud any signs of danger.
Ryan Fawcett kicked a penalty goal in the sixty eighth minute but the scores were level in the seventy fifth minute from a Macclesfield penalty to set up an exciting, tense, finale. The tempo of the game remained high even though the players must have been exhausted from their labours. The outcome was eventually settled in the eightieth minute when Ryan Fawcett coolly kicked the winning points from a penalty.
In a formidable Vale pack hooker Richard Hodgson was outstanding, winning four against the head, a formidable achievement when the ball is fed into the scrums at some eye watering angles; for his efforts he was named man of the match.
A player who ran him close was lock Adam Foxcroft who was a dominant force at the line-outs and was at his aggressive best in all areas, in particular where the action was at its hottest. In addition there was a valuable contribution from the hard grafting Joe Stevens.
It was a day tailor-made for forwards but all the backs played their part in an important victory that had the bells jingling for all the right reasons.
Thanks to Reg Robinson for his notes.