Kendal arrived at Powder House Lane after suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Birkenhead Park,39-7, while Vale had also lost their opening game by the narrowest of margins against Sedgley Park 17-16. The two local rivals were therefore under pressure to make sure that their season achieved some stability.
Vale's hard working team manager, Dan Rainford,had to juggle his resources when a number of players were called up for first team duties at Mint Bridge.
Although Vale fielded a young side they were full of enthusiasm throughout a gruelling encounter against a Kendal squad that contained all the vigour that the Cumbrians have been noted for over many many seasons.
Vale started on the front foot but they quickly became under pressure and conceded a penalty goal after ten minutes. Kendal's energetic play was rewarded with a second penalty as the Vale worked hard to halt their advances.
As Vale's scrummage improved Kendal began to lose their impetus and the pack began to supply some useful ball for scrum half Adam Dalton to work with. Props Matt Mount and Tom Smith provided a secure base as did hooker Matt Hancock who was very lively in the loose.
The second row pairing of Andy Waite and Jack Chadwick did not have an easy ride but they stuck to their task with grim determination etched all over their faces.
Kendal increased their lead with a converted try but Vale continued to battle hard, supporting each other, working hard to eliminate errors. The back row of Dom Griffiths, the aggressive Isaac Turton and Alfie Bolton were always to found in the thick of the action as they attempted to halt Kendal's steamroller drives.
With ten minutes remaining Kendal eventually broke down Vale's resistance courtesy of a misplaced pass which resulted in a rather fortunate try which was converted.
Dan Rainford's half time words of advice did the trick because Vale began the second half as solid, determined unit. Adam Dalton found time and space to bring the backs more into the game. Ryan Fawcett's versatility began to ask questions of Kendal, and Daniel Harrington and David De La Rey started to probe with growing confidence. When Daniel had to leave the action with a shoulder injury his replacement, Phil Waite ensured that no momentum was lost, as was demonstrated by wingers Harrison Dodge and Lee Starkey when they started to receive a regular supply of quick ball. Ryan Busby made a number of dangerous of dangerous runs from full back, but Kendal's lead came under threat when Vale were awarded a penalty try and a try from Dom Griffiths when he dived over the line for an unconverted try from close range.
Replacements Josh Greathead and Harry Agar bravely threw themselves into the fray but Kendal successfully closed ranks to thwart Vale's endeavours.
Vale are without a fixture this coming Saturday which will help an increasing number of players extra recovery time ahead of their home fixture on September 25 against league leaders, Wirral 2.
Vale 2: M Mount, M Davenport, T Smith; A Waite, J Chadwick;D Griffiths, I Turton, A Bolton. A Dalton, R Fawcett; H Dodge, D Harrington, D De La Rey, L Starkey; R Busby. Reps: J Greathead, H Agar, P Waite.
Many thanks to Fred Swarbrick for suppling the details.