Vale of Lune 2nd XV ---- Team
1. Joe Stevens
2. Oli Cowey
3. Ewan Hutchinson
4. Dan Rainford
5. David Wang
6. Isaac Turton
7. Paul Scott
8. Matt Field
9. Ruben Orr
10. Jamie Antcliffe
11. Lee Starkey
12. Jake Harrison
13. Alfie Bolton
14. Petar Alexov
15. Alex Batson
16. Joe Travers
17. Ryan Busby

Waterloo at any level are always going to be a difficult side to take on. The history surrounding this great Club never fades and the Vale 17 knew they were going to face a tremendous task.

The above was clearly true, for the first 30 minutes Waterloo attacked the Vale line and for this time the ball never moved out of the Vale half. A massive concerted effort in defence from 1 to 15 kept the Waterloo side out at this time. Some terrific close tackling from Isaac Turton, Joe Stevens and Dan Rainford kept the Waterloo side at bay. Still they came and were reluctant to let the ball out to their threequarters, but with Olie Cowey, Matt Field, Ewan Hutchinson and Paul Scott tackling their hearts out Waterloo were unable to cross the Vale line. Outstanding at this stage was David Wang who in fact enjoyed a tremendous game throughout.

All the early plaudits reflect the forward effort that was generated, but this would be to deny mention of the threequarters, Ruben Orr at scrum half, cleaning up scrappy ball at the base, Jamie Antcliffe playing at fly half clearing with some astute kicks and with the reliable Jake Harrison outside him, all were contributing to the cause. Jamie was indeed unsteady at first, expectedly so, out of position and his first game back, but did he make up for this as he found his feet as the game moved on.

At 22 minutes and with the Waterloo side still camped in the Vale 22 Petar Alexov, cleared the Vale lines with a superb touch kick to offer some relief. Not to offer relief, to that extent, the Waterloo side re invigorated came back at the combatant Vale XV to score a try at 25 minutes the conversion failing.

From the K.O. the Vale XV at last were gaining some areas and pressing the now confident Waterloo side. The ball was moved across the line with Alfie Bolton showing great strength passing out to Lee Starkey who broke inside resulting in a penalty in front of the posts. Lee Starkey converted to take the score to 5 points to 3 points to Waterloo.

With 5 minutes to go to the half time, a move across the line involving all the threequarters, Jake Harrison splitting the Waterloo defence, with some pace, moving on to Alfie Bolton who was playing with great strength, then to Jamie Antcliffe who by now was playing with confidence, onto Petar Alexov, who with his usual power made a break and found Alex Batson up in support. The move took the Vale side to the posts and Ruben Orr showing real sharpness scored under the posts, Lee Starkey converted.

Waterloo returned to score an unconverted try to take the score to 10 points to 10 points.

Half time approached and Peter Buckton the Waterloo manager was prepared to give a strong verbal tirade to the Waterloo side. The older members will remember Peter Buckton as a fine back row player with Orrell and Waterloo when both Clubs were at their peak. He was also a fine player involved in a successful Yorkshire XV. Did we hear him broach the 1st World War in his tirade ????

At this stage Ewan Hutchinson left the field with damaged ribs and the versatile Matt Field moved into the front row, Matt can play anywhere on the field, a most versatile player, a must in the side.

The disruption possibly affected Waterloo more than Vale. David Wang was enjoying a fine game both in the lineout and the loose, linked with Petar Alexov who moved on to cross for his second try before taking his leave to go to work. !! Joe Travers replaced Petar Alexov and soon found himself involved in the throes of a game proceeding at a fast pace.

At this stage Ryan Busby came onto the field. A natural kicker with huge talent was soon into the game. At 50 minutes and from a terrific break at pace from Jake Harrison – enjoying a fine game – Ryan Busby hoisted a high kick into the “belly” of the Waterloo XV and following up at speed he scored using the vast Powderhouse Lane dead ball area. Ryan Busby converted his own try.

At this stage the Waterloo side were visibly tiring and once again a clean break from Jake Harrison produced a try for Ryan Busby to take the score to 29 points.

Late in the game Waterloo scored what in effect was a consolation try to take the score finally to 29 points to the Vale, 15 points to the Waterloo side.

Vale now move to equal top of the table but now don’t return to Powderhouse lane for a few weeks.

Fred would like to remind everyone with this message, please make yourselves available each and every week. If you have problems with early leave times or needs to return early from the away games please let us know, we will attempt to accommodate any problems, because WE CAN WIN THIS LEAGUE !!!!

A big thank you to Fred Swarbrick for his words and Tony North for the photographs.