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Last season the Vale suffered at the hand of Burnage on two occasions so to travel to Varley Park with only fourteen players, due to late cry off's and problems on the motorway did not bode well. Despite all the difficulties the Vale produced a heroic performance in which all concerned played their part.

It was very much a case of all hands to the pumps. Rhys Randall was drafted into the unfamiliar position as a lock forward and played with distinction, props Josh O'Donnell and John Hodkinson absorbed a tremendous amount of pressure without buckling. Gareth Price played with confidence at scrum half, wing forward Phil Watson was a tenacious tackler, while skipper Kieran Doyle led from the front throughout and he received massive support from those around him.

The Vale had no replacements available so the various touch line duties, including trotting off and on with liquids, were carried out efficiently by fixture secretary Fred Swarbrick and webmaster, Reg Robinson.

An eleventh minute penalty goal from Gareth Price levelled the scores as the Vale made the home side work hard for their half time lead of 13-3. Burnage exploited the Vale’s lack of players in the second forty by bringing on fresh legs but the Vale were always equal to the challenges that were thrown at them.

Burnage obviously used their extra player to maximum advantage but on a number of occasions Vale’s covering thwarted the home side’s endeavours. Vale did attack the Burnage line but when any move broke down they were susceptible to a quick counter and with an overlap created Burnage added two further tries, one of which was converted.

Wayne Blyth made a storming run only to be hauled down as Vale defiantly took the game to Burnage, but a late home try ended what had been gallant performance from the Vale in a game where the odds were stacked against them from the first whistle at Varley Park.