1 Joe Stevens
2 Paul Peters
3 Tom Smith
4 Adam Foxcroft
5 Dan Rainford
6 Paul Scott
7 Matt Field
8 Josh O’ Donnell
9 Taylor Mills
10 Will Hunt (Captain)
11 Lee Starkey
12 Adam Macluskie
13 Richard Dewar
14 Petra Alexov
15 Alex Batson
16 Joe Bebbington
17 Matt Bennett
18 James Hesketh

The Vale side were set to meet the two Cup Finalists from last season in successive weeks. Failing badly last week at Sandbach but looking forward to correcting things today versus Birkenhead Park. They arrived at Powderhouse Lane after gaining a promotion into the Champions League from Division One last season.

The game commenced in brilliant sunshine and immediately it became clear Vale were going to gain some supremacy in the tight spheres of the game. In fact within 3 minutes a concerted heave to the Birkenhead line saw Josh O’ Donnell touchdown for the first score of the game.

From the restart both Adam Foxcroft and Josh O’ Donnell were going strong and backing a break, with two breaks from Matt Field who was indeed showing great energy. Some pressure from Park, and they did indeed have some useful players, resulted in a penalty and they posted 3 points on the board. Reg Robinson and myself recognised their Fly Half who indeed has been playing in their side for a number of years, a reliable goal kicker and in fact a kicker from hand with a great technique. The Vale were aware of this and pressured this player at every opportunity.

The Vale had a full 18 players and were intending to play all. After some 20 minutes Josh O’ Donnell made way for Matt Bennet but there was no change to the playing strategy. Birkenhead Park were lifting their game and an infringement spotted by Referee Steve Ralston,
who was handling the game with a great degree of control, gave a penalty to Birkenhead. Inevitably their fly half slotted the kick. 6 points to 5 to Birkenhead.

The Vale did not show any signs of reducing their energy. A lineout resulted in Adam Foxcroft claiming the ball and a huge drive from the Vale eight resulted in Josh O’ Donnell collecting his second try. Will Hunt, skippering the side, was playing superbly and he slotted over the kick to move the Vale ahead.. With the pack being in control, the Vale lads were playing with a freedom in the forward exchanges. Joe Stevens and Tom Smith both man mountains up front and clearly causing major problems for the Birkenhead 8. Paul Peters hooking was indeed a giant for a hooker in the front row and again was enjoying a good game, working relentlessly in the thick of it.

Can any side in this League match the Vale powerhouse in the second row? With Foxy and Dan Rainford, dominating the lineout and you could clearly see the drive going through the middle in the scrummaging tearing the Birkenhead 8 apart. Then, and as you would expect the back row of Matt Field, Josh O’Donnell and Paul “Scottie” Scott were given the freedom to both attack and defend which they did at all times. Paul Scott “ What a man” !!!

The Vale 8 were continuing to control and from a heave by the Vale pack Josh O’Donnell was able to touch down two minutes to half time to claim his hat trick. Vale.

The Vale continued to switch players after all it was a warmish day and the effort being put in by all was energy sapping. From the kick off Vale pressed and a terrific K.O. from Skipper Will Hunt took the Vale up to the Birkenhead line. James Hesketh had now joined the eight and was there to lend his weight and bulk to the proceedings. Matt Bennet also moved onto the field. Taylor Mills was back after missing last Saturday’s game and was clearly showing no issues as his season commenced following on from the games he produced last season. Good to see him back in the side.

From a winning lineout the Vale moved the ball along the line. Matt Field was in support and the ball was slipped inside to him. Matt – Matthews – dribbled the ball to the line to score under the posts, it was a great individual effort; Skipper Hunt slotted the two points.

At this stage Vale were in complete control, The threequarters were running with freedom. Centres Adam McCluskie and Richard Dewar were driving at the Birkenhead line and causing them a lot of trouble. Great to see Adam McCluskie back on the Park Both he and Richard Dewar were playing with pace and it wasn’t long before Adam “Macca” Mcluskie showed his undoubted class to touch down near the posts.

At this stage Vale were in command and Will- Skipper – Hunt was producing some probing kicks, one was angled wide out which allowed Lee Starkey to collect, which was far from an easy, to score wide out, Paul Scott had now taken over the kicking duties converted.

Petra Alexov on the opposite wing was as elusive as ever and you can always rely on him to beat the first man which inevitably produces pressure on the opposition.
The game was moving to the close, a driving maul resulted in Tom Smith – a giant – touching down for 5 points. From a sharp pick up Paul Scott passed out to Will Hunt who completed added another five to the total. A long accurate pass again from Will Hunt found Petra Alexov waiting to scored the try he so richly deserved.

Throughout the game Alex Batson was a a safe pair of hands at full back clearing up when necessary and linking up with the back line at appropriate times.

After Sandbach it was a refreshing performance and Gents it augurs well for the remaining half of the season. Let’s aim to move into the middle Conference. That would be a great achievement.. Please make yourselves available for the Away games to come in order to keep these excellent performances going.

Great Gents !!!!!!

Thank you once again Fred for your passionate report and to Tony North for his excellent photographs.

Report by Fred Swarbrick.