An emerging feature of Vale's season has seen the strengthening of links between the club and Heysham Atoms with second team manager Tony Gilmour working hard behind the scenes to ensure an atmosphere of good will is established between the two clubs. This bridge building was reflected in the A team's line up against Stockport with Neil Walker, Jake Harrison, Andy Collins swapping codes to good effect with Jake Harrison picking up the man of the match accolade after an exciting all round performance that included two tries.

Although the A team suffered a defeat they produced a massive improvement in their overall performance compared with the previous week at Sandbach and despite yet more changes in their selection and injuries picked up during the game they battled hard until the final whistle.

Mike Barker looked more comfortable in the back row and was in the thick of the action throughout a mighty exciting contest, Chris Thomas looked sharp in a Vale side that played with heart and commitment against a very lively Stockport outfit that possessed a fluid back division who posed a constant threat with their quick thinking and ability to counter from anywhere on the field.

Stockport opened the scoring with an early penalty goal and in the twelve minute the Vale turned down the opportunity to put points on the board by declining a three pointer in favour of a scrum and the chance of a larger haul, but unfortunately the decision went unrewarded.

The furrowed brows did not last for long in the Vale camp because Thomas brought the smiles back when he broke through powerfully for an unconverted try two minutes later. Stockport came roaring back into contention with a two tries one of which was converted, in the eighteenth and thirty first minutes.

Far from feeling sorry for themselves the Vale, via their impressive forwards, upped the ante with a series of powerful surges. Prop Matt Field used his strength to telling effect when he went over for a try converted by Sean Coulshed as half time approached. With Vale's forwards in control Harrison touched down for an unconverted try in the second minute of injury time to give his side a two point lead at half time.

Vale were unable to hold onto their lead and against the run of play they conceded a converted try after Stockport had launched an attack that caught the home side unawares. As the Vale's injury list began to rise and disrupt their rhythm, Stockport were quick to exploit the situation.

The visitor's number nine nipped over for an unconverted try from a tap penalty in the fifty second minute followed by a try from Stockport's full back, who came into the line at speed, the conversion going over in the sixty first minute.

To their credit the Vale continued to probe and take the game to Stockport and with time running out Harrison added an unconverted try. On Saturday Vale travel to fifth placed Fylde in what promise to be an intriguing local derby.

Vale A: R Lamerton; C Thomas, J Antcliffe, J Harrison, J Birchall; S Coulshed, N Walker; M Field, S Harrison, A Morrison; R Mudd (Capt), A Foxcroft; O Cowey, M Barker, J Clarkson. Replacements: A Collins, R Needham, J Whyke.

Man of the Match: Jake Harrison