The Bateman BMW Premier League is proving to be a tremendous competition this season with some quality rugby being played. Macclesfield are typical of the top sides in the league, filled with youth with an average age of 20/21 years, but with considerable pace and incisiveness. The Vale faced a Macclesfield side that had experienced three consecutive league defeats and were so eager to put their season back on track.

Once again team manager, Tony Gilmour had been confronted with selection problems due to a considerable injury list that is presently affecting all Vale's sides, with a number of players being unavailable. The manger does however, engender a real fighting spirit in the troops, with physio Jemma and water carrier Zsara providing effervescent and uplifting support the other side of the whitewash.

There were some new faces in the Vale's squad so introductions were the order of the day prior to kick off, in addition to some players having to adjust to different positions in the line up and unusual shirt numbers. Jamie Antcliffe, who had a terrific game, has in recent weeks has played in the back row, centre and against Macclesfield was at full back. Wingers Sinclair Araju and Chris Strachan battled manfully despite being under intense pressure at times as they faced a slick Macclesfield side.

Alex Baines returned to action after injury albeit having to play in the unaccustomed position in the centre, but along with his fellow centre Dan Starkie, tackled ferociously throughout. Young James Moorby was cajoled into the scrum half position as he boarded the team mini bus, but he showed his potential by scoring the pick of the tries of an action packed game.

The evergreen Aaron Melville, who will never let down any side he represents, was given the number ten jersey, his kicking was perfect, his goal kicking efficient and despite being under pressure he organised the game well behind a Vale pack battled hard throughout.

In the front row props Paul Bolton and the highly rated Matt Field were solid. Hooker Simon Harrison's form improves with every game, his whole hearted approach and encouragement for those around him is greatly appreciated. Lock forwards Dan Rainford and Adam Foxcroft, who was also returning from injury, were ideal partners in the ensuing forward battle. Skipper Bob Mudd moved to the back row and along with Ben Charnley and Dominic Lane were industrious throughout and played themselves to a standstill. When Rainford left the action with an injury he was replaced by Matt "Murray" Mount who was drafted in from school and made an important contribution.

The game opened with Macclesfield taking the game to the visitors and were quickly five points up. Playing with the wind a passage of concerted driving rugby ended with Foxcroft scoring a try converted by Melville after thirteen minutes.

Macclesfield played to their considerable strengths in all departs and subject the Vale to a barrage of swirling, stamina sapping attacks in a style that reminded a seasoned Vale official, Fixture Secretary, Fred Swarbrick, of the "Orrell side of the eighties." A forward drive resulted in another unconverted try for the home side.

Although under considerable pressure the Vale were not afraid to take the game to Macclesfield but they fell behind to a series of sweeping attacks. In the fiftieth minute of the first half the Vale scored, Foxcroft touching down after a succession of tap penalties, referee blowing for half time after this score.

Vale opened the second half adventurously with Mudd and Charnley constantly challenging the opposition, with Charnley expertly taking Macclesfield's line out ball. Moorby was proving to be a lively scrum half, alert to any break and giving his opposite number little respite.

In the build up to Vale's next score Antcliffe boomed the ball forty metres downfield and despite it being a Macclesfield line out Charnley again stole the ball, off-loaded to Moorby who broke through two tackles in a thirty five metre run that took him between the uprights for the best try of the game which Melville converted.

A rampant Vale pack supported Charnley when he caught the restart kick to race deep into Macclesfield territory, but the home side upped the tempo against a gallant Vale side that was beginning to tire and in the final stages the flood gates started to open as the try count began to rise.

Throughout the game the Vale played with commendable spirit and discipline but they faced a well coached youthful Macclesfield side in a fixture that once again underlined the high standards of rugby that is to be found on a weekly basis in the prestigious Bateman BMW Premier League.

Vale A: J Antcliffe; S.Araju, D Starkie, A Baines, C Strachan; A Melville, J Moorby; M Field, S Harrison, P Bolton; A Foxcroft, D Rain for ( M Mount); R Mudd (Capt),D Lane, B Charnley.
Manger: T Gilmour
Physio: Jemma
Water Carrier: Zsara