A much changed second team travelled to Sedgley Park and after a high powered board meeting a unanimous decision was taken to stage the encounter on the broad acres of the main pitch thus prompting skipper Ryan Fawcett to put the squad, which comprised some regulars, a smattering if third team players and young pretenders, through an intensive pre-match work out ahead of what he anticipated was to be a physically demanding contest. How right he was!
On a bright sunny afternoon Vale had a stiff breeze at their backs and after three minutes Ryan Fawcett kicked a long penalty goal after the hosts were penalised by referee Jonathan Amour, who officiated throughout with sympathy and understanding.
The pressure began to build on Vale particularly at scrum time. The front row of James Bonia, Jack Chadwick and Tom Greaves had their work cut out with Jack Chadwick striking the ball cleanly even on the retreat. Stu Middlehurst and Tom Needham guided the ball carefully which allowed scrum half Jack Batty to deliver clean ball to the backs.
Louis Evans, Louis Pulford and Paul Scott took play to the heart of Park's defence but the overall strength within Sedgley's ranks caused Vale problems. James Bonia worked hard to put Vale on the front foot but in the fifteenth minute Sedgley took the lead with a pushover try.
The home side increased their lead in the twenty fifth minute following a slick break by their threequarters. Although Sedgley were putting the squeeze on Vale centres Bobby Holdbrook and Petra Alexov, two experienced players, were forced to work hard to thwart the advances of their opponents. Included in Sedgley's ranks were a number of players who were hanging up their boots and were determined to go out on a high note.
As the half drew to a close Sedgley's pace and power was rewarded with two tries one of which was converted. Vale's wingers Connor Cook and Zac Elderton never took a backward step, they tackled hard and when opportunities to attack came their way, they both showed remarkable skill and ability. Full back Alfie Bolton, made a number of telling breaks but Sedgley's well organised defence proved difficult to break down.
With the wind in their favour Sedgley split Vale's defence with an early converted try to edge the game out of Vale's reach but to their credit the seconds battled bravely on and spirits remained high.
Vale received a huge boost when the indefatigable third team skipper, Paul Scott, picked up at the base and set off on a weaving run before passing to Petra Alexov who pirouetted through Sedgley's defence inside his own half. He beat the cover on the right to touch down for an unconverted try. This score could well be in the frame for the Seconds try of the season.
Leg injuries to Petra Alexov and James Bonia were treated by physiotherapist, Paul Peters, but they were consigned to the bench and a rib injury to Ryan Fawcett further depleted Vale's ranks. Alfie Bolton moved to fly half, Freddie Bartle came on and quickly found himself in the thick of the action encouraged by dad, Phil, from the sidelines.
As Vale's resources drained away Sedgley offered a replacement, Simon Vale, a former Lancaster University player and respected referee, who went into the front row.
Sedgley Park added to their score at regular intervals, Vale continued to defend stoically. Jack Batty pulled off a brilliant tackle to prevent a certain try that illustrated the never say down attitude of Vale.
With five minutes remaining referee Amor blew for full time but before the players wended their way to the changing rooms the camaraderie that had existed between the two teams was illustrated when Chris Leader, a stalwart of Sedgley over many years, invited Vale to join Park in a combined photograph. What a splendid gesture. The ethos of rugby lives on!

Vale 2: J Bonia, J Chadwick, T Greaves; T Needham, S Middlehurst; L Pulford, L Evans, P Scott. J Batty, R Fawcett (Capt.); C Cook, P Alexov, B Holdbrook, Z Elderton; A Bolton. Rep: F Bartle.

Thank to Fred Swarbrick for the report.