Scott Manning, after a frustrating week, managed to gather together a mixed flock which included of a couple of spring lambs and a quartet of seasoned rams. Fourteen players, from various Vale sides, including five who were making their Second team debut, made the trip to Rossendale for the final fixture of the season; two Colts, seven from the Fourths with a number nudging into the Veterans class with an average age of thirty five plus, one from the Thirds and four stalwarts from the seconds, in addition Rossendale loaned them a player. The total of Second team players who had pulled on the cherry and white this season reached an eye watering 80 as they trotted out Marl Pits, simply staggering!
Scrums became uncontested from the kick off which suited the Seconds down to the ground and they surprised their hosts by taking the lead in the thirteenth minute. Playing up the slope on a cold day, from a scrum the Vale drove hard for the line in a move that ended with Matt Field touching down for a deserved try converted by Ryan Busby.
However, Rossendale harnessed their resources and a powerful passage of rugby ended with their experienced number eight picking up at the base for a converted try in the nineteenth minute. A second try, which was unconverted, followed in the twenty fifth minute, again via the back row.
Another unconverted try was scored in the thirty third minute followed by a penalty goal to complete the first half scoring but the determination shown by the Seconds made Rossendale work hard for their points.
Rossendale began the second half by running in to two converted tries in the forty third and forty fifth minute respectively to effectively put the game beyond the Vale’s reach.
Once again the Vale buckled down and were rewarded in the fifty seventh when following a well worked passage of rugby Scott Manning crossed for an unconverted try. Three minutes later Rossendale’s power unit set up a try for one of their props which was converted.
To their credit the Vale showed great character to add two further scores. Ryan Busby put in a number of accurate probing kicks and from one Scott Manning pounced on the ball after the full back had become flustered for his second try in the sixty sixth minute which was not converted.
Vale’s final score, and the try bonus point, came in the seventy eighth minute when the industrious Ryan Busby nicked the ball for a try which he converted to end a terrific fight back by the Seconds.
It had been a big hearted performance from the Seconds from the very beginning up the final whistle; everyone is to be congratulated on their contribution as they all rallied to the call and stepped up to the mark.
Alex Bateson, put his quill to one side to produce a magnificent performance in the centre, his no nonsense tackling halted a large number of dangerous attacks. Paul Scott threw himself into the contest with his usual determination but overall, considering the assortment of players on the team sheet, this was a terrific performance to close out what has been a difficult season.
Many thanks to Reg Robinson for his notes throughout the season, plus the contributions from Fred Swarbrick, two stalwarts of the Seconds through rain, hail and sunshine.