Report by Stuart Vernon, all photos by Andrew Perry.

Vale were forced to draft in two Senior Colts, Harry Fellows and Sam Chesney-Benson along with Neil Parkhill from the University, for their vital fixture against Altrincham Kersal, a side that had already defeated the hosts twice this season. Regardless of their inexperience at Conference B level both Harry Fellows and Sam Chesney-Benson made an immediate impact in a game that the Vale needed to win. Harry Fellows was a deserved recipient of the man of the match award while Sam Chesney-Benson rounded off a most productive game with a late try that put the result beyond the visitor’s reach.

Because of an ever lengthening injury list, plus players being called up to the first team squad, the Vale started the game with only one replacement, the legendary Simon Baines. Vale’s long serving wing forward was quickly into the thick of the action, coming on for Matt Wilson with a recurrence of a back injury.

Vale were further inconvenienced when in the fifteenth minute Andy Wilkinson injured a knee leaving the Vale with only fourteen on the pitch. In the meantime, spectator Gavin Glennon, cometh the man cometh the hour, went off home for his kit and played in the closing seconds of a half that saw the Vale trailing three nil to a penalty goal.

A full strength Vale made a superb start to the second forty with Fellows boldly featuring in all the early exchanges. Gareth Price, playing at scrum half kicked a penalty goal in the fifty fourth minute to level the scores as the Vale stated to play with increasing confidence.

Ten minutes later they went ahead with a quality score by any standards. Although Kieran Doyle was flattened unceremoniously after passing the ball the Vale swept downfield with a selection of precise passes from their own half. A thrilling move ended with Rhodri Bowen arcing round behind the posts for a try converted by Gareth Price.

As frequently happens the team that has scored relaxes and the opposition pounces. When the Vale switched off at a quickly taken tap penalty they conceded a try.

However, the Vale buckled down because the scoreline was too close for comfort, there was no room to manoeuvre but they quickly put their game back on track. Gareth Price kicked an important penalty in the seventy second minute and two minutes later Sam Chesney-Benson showed real composure to gather the ball for his try which Gareth Price converted to seal victory.

As a result of their victory the Vale have moved up to third place following a splendid all round team performance and apart from one blip, their tackling was of the highest order. Simon Baines was at his belligerent best, the young guns all showed their potential in a testing contest, but overall it was the spirited contribution from the whole squad that paved the way to a deserved victory.

Vale A: R Bowen; S Benson, J Antcliffe, O Simmons, L Richmond; K Doyle, G Price; M Field, N Parkhill, A Morrison; L Farnworth (Capt), H Fellows; M Wilson (S Baines 3), I Turton, A Wilkinson (G Glennon 39).