DOUBLE HEADED.

Vale XV

15. Lee Starkie
14. Harry Luke Agar
!3. Callum Brodie
12 Henry Higginson
11 Petar Alexov
10. Jake Harrison
9. Taylor Mills
1. Tom Smith
2. Ollie Cowey
3. James Hesketh (Capt)
4. Adam Foxcroft
5. Dan Rainford
6. Matt Bennett
7. Isaac Turton
8. Andrew Waite
17. Ben Ritchie
18. Matt Mount
16. Alfie Bolton.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and proceeded to be ultimately, a highly competitive game. How could it be anything else Kendal/Vale games throughout history have always been so. Unfortunately due to the manoeuvrings of headquarters we have lost local derbies mainly due to promotions and relegations but in the instance of the Kendal/Vale fixture Kendal’s move into the North East Leagues.
Fortunately we are left with our two 2nd XVs fighting it out. Todays game was in fact a double header involving the Robinsons Brewery Cup Competition along with the Cotton Traders Championship League game.
The game kicked off at a terrific pace with Vale pressing immediately from the Kick Off. Within 3 minutes Isaac Turton had taken a lineout onto Dan Rainford who then continued with an accurate pass to Andy Waite who crossed for a try. Only 9 minutes gone in the game. The conversion by Henry Higginson was converted 7 pts to 0 pts.
I had watched the Ireland Japan game in the morning, had the Vale lads also watched the game they were certainly sucking the life out of the Kendal XV early doors.
From the resultant K.O. Kendal were applying massive pressure on the Vale XV, but must again return to Japan, the Vale side were tackling like terriers and comfortably prevented posting a score.
At 20 minutes Vale were on the attack again and against the run of play at this stage Henry Higginson picked up a loose ball and ran unopposed to score the try with a delicate touchdown. He converted his own try from wide out. 14 pts to 0
Again from the Kick Off Kendal pressed the Vale towards their line but again with determined defence and then great pace they forced Kendal back into their own half to be penalised. The penalty attempt failed.
At 30 minutes James Hesketh left the field because of an arm injury which required recovery time prior to return to the fray. Matt Mount entered the fray, of course Matt is well used to this standard of Rugby.
Kendal again were exerting pressure and a massive saving tackle by Henry Higginson prevented a score. Kendal were lifting their game and showing real pace outside. The Vale line was cleared by Petar Alexov who throughout the game was causing problems with his continuous elusiveness and his physicality.
An amazing cover tackle by Jake Harrison prevented a score by Kendal, they were clearly looking at open spaces to put a score on the table. What a tackle !!!
Taylor Mills was causing issues for Kendal as he produced a series of quick penalties. Always difficult to defend and it seems Taylor has now got this off to a fine art.
The Vale pack was dominating in the tight, Ollie Cowey – great to see him back in fine form- along with Tom Smith who improves with every game and both Matt Mount and Skipper James Hesketh were causing Kendal some problems. The powerhouse with Dan Rainford and Adam Foxcroft were exerting massive pressure in the scrums and continually driving the Kendal eight to retreat. A marauding back row of Matt Bennett, Isaac Turton and Andy Waite were causing massive problems for the Kendal side. Andy Waite was voted M O M by the knowledgeable people on the touch line.
Taylor Mills was enjoying some comfort at the back of the scrum and providing Jake Harrison with some accurate passes.
Now in the 2nd half and at 50 minutes Petar Alexov scored the try he certainly deserved. He never lets up !!!
Tom Smith made one of his foraging runs what a man mountain to try and bring down. Henry Higginson and Callum Brodie combined to move the Vale to the Kendal line. Matt Mount had taken over from “Big Dan” in the powerhouse. Matt is a great asset for the side.
A move from close to the Kendal line produced a chip over the Kendal line moving up, the kick using the vast expanse of the renowned Vale dead ball area allowing Isaac Turton to touch down. The conversion was successful.
Kendal by now were coming into the game and producing pace which was not visible up to the 50 minute mark. The Vale side were visibly tiring and Kendal scored from some quick movement their three quarter line. 7 points were posted with the successful conversion.
A high tackle on Henry Higginson resulted in referee Gary Stanley awarding the penalty and he converted to take the score to 29 pts to 7 pts to the Vale.
The Kendal side by now were visibly upping the pace – where had this been in the early stages of the game ??- and produced a score in the corner to take their score to 12 points. As above the Vale 15 were indeed tiring or was it simply they were aware the game was won. Kendal scored again from 75 metres out to take the score to 29 pts to 17 pts which in fact was the final score.
Vale now move to equal top in the Cotton Traders Championship on 11 points and move into the 2nd Round of the Robinsons Brewery Cup away at Rossendale on Saturday 1st of February.
An incentive Gents is that the Finals will be held at Powderhouse Lane on May the 5th. We need to be there !!!
Many thanks to Fred for his passionate report and Tony North for his eye catching photographs.

Already 34 player have played for the A Team after only 3 games.