Vale included a number of new faces in their squad but there was one familiar name, Mike Stevens, who made five appearances for the first team in the 2009/10 season before moving away. He marked his return to Vale colours with an impressive two try display, a number of assists, while his extra pace being an important element in his side’s victory.
Unfortunately a clash of heads between Lee Farnworth and Harry Fellows after twenty minutes left “Farny” requiring stitches which sidelined the popular lock forward but Fellows was able to return later once the mists had cleared.
The Vale shot away to the perfect start when Paul Shepherd powered through for a twelfth minute try converted by Jamie Antcliffe. Indiscipline from the Vale presented LSH with an easy three points before Matt Field crossed for a try converted by Antcliffe in the twenty fourth minute.
Antcliffe then added a penalty goal and converted his own try after a slashing break from the white hot Stevens. Skipper Phil Watson showed a superb turn of speed when raced the length of the field for an unconverted try after thirty two minutes. In injury time Stevens cut through for a deserved try converted by Antcliffe to give the Vale a healthy half time lead.
A complacent Vale side allowed LSH to exploit acres of space for a converted try but after a lethargic start a try from Duncan Fletcher ensured that normal service was resumed.
Fellows showed he had fully recovered with a try converted by Antcliffe. Prop Josh O’Donnell proved unstoppable from five metres out after he had lost control of the ball in an earlier attempt to score. LSH collected a second try but the last word belonged to Stevens who the home side’s defence to ribbons with a surgical run in the seventieth minute.
In addition to the contribution from Stevens, Elliot Hatton made an immediate impact when he came on as a replacement; Rob Lamerton produced another brave performance, willing to back himself against the opposition when he embarked on his one of his sprints. Adam Foxcroft grafted hard in the second row, while Watson’s efforts in all aspects of the game helped the Vale to record the treble over LSH and to move back into second place in Conference B.
Vale A: R Lamerton; D Fletcher, M Stevens, J Antcliffe, C Weeks; P Shepherd, J Whyke; P Jackson, M Field, J O’Donnell; L Farnworth, A Foxcroft; P Watson (Capt), H Fellows, D Harrison. Replacements used: E Hatton, J Hodkinson