A depleted Vale travelled to group leaders Birkenhead Park with only fourteen players due to first team calls and others on tour, but despite being a player down they produced a magnificent, courageous, battling, and an astonishing against all the odds performance up to the final whistle, when they were literally out on their feet.
Stand off, the hugely experienced Aaron Melville, slotted over a penalty goal into the wind after six minutes as the pace of the game gathered momentum. Although under pressure at the scrums the Vale’s work rate was consistently high, their tackling brave and effective and they also took the game to the hosts who were unable to exert a firm grip on the game.
A completive half ended with Park’s powerfully stand off breaking away for a converted try in the thirty sixth minute. The Vale regained the lead in the third minute of the second half when Melville threaded a perfect pass to release the speedy Rob Lamerton. Jack Ferguson linked with Lamerton to touch down, Aaron Melville’s conversion attempt appeared to be going over when a strong gust of wind blew the ball sideways as it was about to bisect the uprights.
Holding a tenuous lead the Vale continued to play positive rugby. Duncan Fletcher posed a constant threat in the centre, Phil Watson did not look out of place in the unaccustomed position of scrum half, Chris Quick tackled like a demon, Dave Harrison pushed himself to the limits and Rob Lamerton made a series of lightning breaks.
Such was the passion and endeavour displayed throughout by the Vale team it was difficult to comprehend they were a player down and even though Park were able to freshen up their side with a battery of replacements the Vale were unswerving in their commitment to the cause.
Two Park tries in the sixty first an sixty fourth minutes, one of which was converted, failed to break the Vale’s spirit and in the seventieth minute Jack Ferguson went over for a solo try after the Vale had battled their way deep into Park territory, Aaron Melville converting.
With the Vale very much in contention a disputed Park try in the seventy fifth minute visibly drained the visitors and in the first minute of injury time a tiring side conceded an unconverted try.
Perhaps the final scoreline flattered the home side but defeat did nothing to diminish the lionhearted performance from the “Upper Park Fourteen.” In a fast moving game Geoff Field executed his role of water carrier to perfection, his efforts being much appreciated by the players on a warm afternoon.
Vale A: R Lamerton, C Strachan, D Fletcher, O Simmons: A Melville, P Watson (Capt); M Field, J Willacy, J Large; T Cvijanovic, A Foxcroft; C Quick, J Ferguson, D Harrison.