Report by Stuart Vernon, pictures by Tony North

After their victory against Liverpool St Helens the Vale now have two Conference B fixtures to fulfil, at home against Penrith and a visit to Lymm and while Burnage, who are undefeated and sit proudly at the top of the table and seemingly without any worries and a not a care in the world. At the other end however, it is a different story, the battle is white hot to avoid the two relegation places and life in Division One of the University of Salford Leagues, next season.

Vale went into the bear-pit knowing that a win would take some of the pressure off and in a fiercely competitive game they overcame a Liverpool side which always posed a threat if they were given sufficient time and space. But after enduring some early scares the Vale effectively applied the clamps with some forthright tackling and covering to record their first win against Liverpool St Helens in the last four meetings.

As the game unfolded the Vale’s pack started to influence the pattern of play, the front five were a real power house in the sets, with locks, Lee Farnworth and Adam Foxcroft very effective working in tandem, while the back row, ably anchored by number eight Huw Marsden, constantly harried the opposition with all the fire power and manoeuvrability associated with jump jets.

The backs were well marshalled by stand off Kieran Doyle, his scrum half, Josh Whyke, grew in impish confidence, centre Lawrence Wallace was strong and determined in defence or attack and full back, Owen Hughes, was composed throughout in a game that could have gone either way.

Josh O’Donnell failed to make Vale’s starting line up having been injured in the pre match warm-up and could only watch from the side line as his colleagues struggled in the early exchanges. Liverpool opened the scoring with try which was superbly converted from wide out, in the fourteenth minute when a swift series of passes stretched Vale’s defence.

Straight from the restart Liverpool gained possession and as the Vale retreated, once the initial breach had been made, a score was inevitable this time the try was unconverted.

All the early evidence suggested that the Vale would have to tighten up their game, avoid unnecessary adventure, retain possession in the tackle, and make sure that some of the potential match winners in Liverpool’s side were given as few scraps as possible to live off, but more importantly the Vale would need to consolidate their game in all departments.

The Vale’s belt and braces approach began to have a positive effect as they moved into the second quarter. In the twenty third minute prolonged pressure ended with Josh Whyke being awarded a try which might have been shared with Huw Marsden but the generous number eight conceded the try to Josh. The try followed a turbulent line out; Kieran Doyle added the conversion with an impressive kick from wide out.

A shape and pattern was beginning to emerge in the Vale’s game, not necessarily pretty, but darned effective, as their forwards took control. From a line out they appeared to have scored but referee Dawson could not be certain the ball had been grounded, this move did boost the pack because they realised that they were the stronger eight as they powered into the rucks and mauls.

As the half drew to a close the Vale tightened the screw. Alex Cowey led a charge to earn his side a penalty; Kieran Doyle hoisted the ball into touch. A five metre line out ended with a Vale scrum. Vale’s pack churned its way to the line to splinter Liverpool who desperately tried to defuse the situation and with bodies flying in all directions the referee awarded the Vale a penalty try, which Doyle converted.

A two point lead did not appear to be an unbridgeable chasm for the visitors who always looked dangerous in broken play but the Vale also posed a serious threat. Josh Whyke launched a counter attack, Lawrence Wallace thundered through as Liverpool were compressed. In the sixty fourth minute the Vale increased their score from a muscular scrum this time Huw Marsden collecting a deserved try for his all round commitment; Kieran Doyle’s conversion attempt thumped an upright but failed to go over.

The game remained poised on a knife edge, the Vale could not afford to relax against a side that were capable of springing a surprise out of virtually nothing. Both Lawrence Wallace and Issac Thompson were forced to pull off important tackles on Liverpool players who set off on dangerous, lone missions.

Vale successfully confined Liverpool to their own territory, who became increasingly desperate to break out only to fall prey to the eagle eyed Vale players who watched their every move until the final whistle of a game that once again underlined the excitement generated by the introduction of a conference format for the second half of the season.