A superb team performance from the Vale ended their run of defeats with a share of the points at Wilmslow in a game that rained tries courtesy of two porous defences but this only added to the excitement, although the respective coaches might not agree with such generosity.

The result lifted the Vale off the bottom of the league and their whole hearted performance ensured that they did not return empty handed and they should be congratulated on their efforts. Again Vale's line up contained a number of new faces thanks to the persuasive powers of physio Jemma who recruited three players to ensure that the Vale had a full compliment, although they had to play without the luxury of replacements. In addition one of the player's girl friends was drafted in as kicking tee carrier plus sundry touchline duties; needs must.

Vale started on a positive note when man of the match centre Elliot Thompson powerfully broke through tackles for a pulsating try converted by Sean Coulshed. The home side responded immediately with a converted try of their own after a sweeping attack, thus setting an early pattern to the game.

In the thirteenth minute Chris Weeks raced clear, scrum half Arthur Haynes steamed up in support for a debut try converted by Coulshed. Once more Wilmslow responded to the challenge and added two converted tries, one being a thrilling counter attack from close to their goal line.

The closing ten minutes belonged to the Vale who refused to pull in their attacking horns. A penalty goal from Coulshed nudged them ever closer to Wilmslow's twenty one point total. Skipper Bob Mudd proved unstoppable with a crunching charge for a try converted by Coulshed. In the second minute of injury time prop Matt Field proved he is not one to be ignored when he crashed for his try, Coulshed again converting.

All the points the Vale had garnered evaporated at the start of the second half when in a twenty minute spree Wilmslow came back with a penalty goal and two tries, one of which was converted to lead 36-31.

But this topsy-turvy game had not yet run its full course in terms of excitement and drama. In the sixty sixth minute, hooker Simon Harrison, who had an all round combative game, completed a well worked move with a popular unconverted try to level the scores.

The game refused to settle into mediocrity, it was full of surprises with the Vale moving into the lead following a try from Haynes after a darting run for an unconverted try. When Weeks stormed over for a try converted by Coulshed the Vale were within touching distance of their first victory of the season and in the driving seat.

All the visitors had to do was to remain calm, run the clock down, batten down the hatches and make the ball their best friend; easier said than done in a game that knew no boundaries. But the Vale had not reckoned with Wilmslow's one hundred metre specialist bursting on the scene and upsetting their apple cart.

The right wing speed merchant sprinted away when the Vale lost possession for an unconverted try with two minutes of proper time remaining. With the clock ticking down it was still advantage Vale, but in the second minute of injury time this was snatched from them when possession was coughed up. The turbo charged winger chipped ahead and left defenders trailing in his wake as he arrowed after the ball for a blistering try, the successful conversion, levelling the scores, being the last kick of the game.

Considering that the Vale again fielded a side with a number of unfamiliar faces they produced a tremendous spirited performance. Mudd led his troops by example, Harrison contributions were important, Haynes made an impact, Thompson was a constant threat, Ross Pillow is prop who demands respect, the back row were a lively unit throughout in what was a rousing encounter and a day to remember for players and supporters.

Vale A: A Melville; C Weeks, E Thompson, C Jones, A Hill; S Coulshed, A Haynes; M Field, S Harrison, R Pillow; S Quick, B Mudd (Capt); J Antcliffe, K Boise, D Lane.