After two recent uplifting performances the Vale found it difficult to recapture the momentum and cohesion that had been so important in their victories against Altrincham Kersal and Stockport. Following a bright opening they fell away and lost the initiative to a Wilmslow side that tested the Vale for long periods, before the visitors came back during the final quarter.
Changes were made to the Vale’s line up with debutant hooker Matty Houghton from Kendal impressing with his work rate around the field in addition to taking a ball against the head, although Rob Lamerton was pressed into action at scrum half his pace always posed a threat to the home side. Jack Ferguson worked tirelessly and full back Duncan Fletcher fielded the high ball well and came into the line at pace.
An early score from Duncan Fletcher was ruled out but in the seventh minute the full back won the chase for a touchdown for a try deep into the dead ball area. Gradually Wilmslow came back into the game as they began to win loose ball in critical areas and at crucial times.
In the fifteenth minute a converted try to them into the lead following a well-controlled rolling maul. Vale lost the services of Dan Rainford but the Cheshire side had little difficulty in defending their own line in addition to testing the Vale. Their efforts were reward with a converted try in the final minute which had a hint of comedy about it when the ball hit the neck of the try scorer before he won the race for the rebound.
Vale made a hesitant start to the second half conceding a converted try before the lively Rob Lamerton accelerated away for a forty metre unconverted solo try.
With the Vale coming back into contention Wilmslow added another try afer a mix up following a penalty attempt which hit an upright but before the defenders could react to the rebound the home side’s number nine slipped away.
A try from Jimmy Birchall that came at the conclusion of a splendid sweeping move down the left flank heralded a Vale revival as Wilmslow were pushed onto the back foot. Unfortunately the Vale were unable to find the necessary cutting edge to complete their attacks in what for the Vale had been performance a few notches below the levels they had set in their two recent fixtures.
Vale A: D Fletcher; J Birchall, J Antcliffe, O Simmons, A Muir; K Doyle, R Lamerton; M Field, M Houghton, J O’Donnell; C Quick, D Rainford; H Fellows, J Ferguson, S Foy. Replacements used: P Jackson, L Farnworth, T Cvijanovic.