Vale are still searching for their first win in Conference B and although they produced a gritty, battling performance against the league leaders, who have taken maximum points from their three games, they lacked the necessary fire power or guile to out manoeuvre a well organised Sandbach side, which on the day produced some enterprising rugby.

In bright conditions and on an excellent playing surface at Bradwall Road, the hosts established a twelve point lead after six minutes of relentless pressure with two tries and a conversion. The Vale began to stabilize the situation with the evergreen Aaron Melville, at full back, pushing Sandbach back into their own territory with some measured kicking out of hand, forwards Adam Foxcroft and Mike Barker were in the thick of action, threequarters Jake Harrison and James Moorby always posed a threat when they received quick ball.

Sandbach's defence proved difficult to unlock as the Vale probed for an opening but the visitors fell further into arrears when Sandbach added two further tries, one of which was converted before the interval.

Playing up the incline the Vale were under pressure at the start of the second half and were undone when the home side's stand off embarked on a solo run, picking his way through the Vale's defence for a converted try after three minutes.

Vale answered the challenge by visibly raising their game and in addition to the efforts of Melville, Harrison and Moorby, scrum half Olly Dobson, forwards Scott Foy and Bob Mudd started to slide through Sandbach's defence with increasing confidence.

In the sixty seventh minute the Vale collected a deserved try. The foundations were laid by a bullocking run from Harrison, and a charge from Mudd, full of flailing arms and whirling legs. Sandbach conceded a penalty and following a quick tap Melville rolled back the years by diving over in the left hand corner for an unconverted try.

A gallant Vale side were unable to add to their score and when Sandbach upped the tempo they increased their total with two more tries, one being converted, in the closing six minutes.

Vale are facing an uphill battle in Conference B, they have a solid spine but cannot afford for either the first team or themselves to pick up further injuries in their fight to avoid the drop.

Two signs on Sandbach's ground could well provide pointers to the Vale's future, "Kick Ass" and "Smile When You Are Winning;" if they can start perfecting the former then the latter is bound to follow.

Vale A: A Melville; D Starkie, J Harrison, J Antcliffe, J Moorby; N Walker, O Dobson; M Field, S Harrison, T Smith; R Mudd (Capt), A Foxcroft; S Quick, M Barker, S Foy. Replacements: S Wilson, J O'Donnell.