Dan Rainford had assembled an exciting squad with a blend of experience, talented young thrusters and a sprinkling of emerging players who skills were being honed at the coal face. Back in October Vale overcame a powerful Birkenhead Park outfit on their own soil to win 37-22 after staging a tremendous fight back.
However, Vale harboured no illusions about the task that awaited them but they took the game to Park from the outset with a series of pacey attacks one of which resulted in a try from Isaac Quarry which father Jamie applauded, Jacob Thomas added the conversion.
Referee Richard Beveridge exercised firm control and made sure that the players were aware who was in charge and those who challenged his decisions did so at their peril.
At the end of the first quarter Park reduced Vale's lead with a penalty goal but straight from the restart, Joe Wills, who was in sparling form at full back split Park's defence for a try converted by Jacob Thomas. Play became quite scrappy and untidy but prop James Bonia,who had a rock solid game, used his strength to drive Park back before forcing his way over for a try converted by Jacob Thomas.
As half time beckoned Isaac Quarry picked up a loose ball for his second try, Jacob Thomas calmly slotted over the conversion.
Vale's forwards were making life uncomfortable for Park. A front row of Tom Needham, Mattie Davenport and James Bonia were a formidable unit. Lock Louis Evans progresses in leaps and bounds and his partner Stephen Smith provided extra support in all phases. In the back row Brad Goss secured some useful line out ball, Richard Hodgson worked incredibly hard to make life uncomfortable for Park as did skipper Dan Griffiths, who gave the opposition little respite.
Reuben Orr and Jacob Thomas were always on the look out to open play up for the speedy backs to exploit which allowed Alex Batson to use skills to full advantage.
A try from the hard working Petra Alexov was followed by one from Dom Griffiths propelled the game out of Park's reach but the visitors caught Vale napping with a converted try.
Dan Rainford made sure that the momentum was not going to stall by bringing on fresh legs. Dan and George Clare were full of running, Ben Dobson, with Dad watching, produced some neat touches, while young Jack Batty's performance at scrum half hinted at a bright future.
In a fast moving game man of the match James Bonia proved to be a handful in all areas.
Like the Firsts, the Seconds travel to Stockport to cross swords with sides who are sitting on top of their respective, a might challenge awaits all concerned to say the least!

Vale of Lune 3: T Needham, M Davenport, J Bonia; L Evans, S Smith; D Griffiths (Capt.), B Goss, R Hodgson; R Orr, J Thomas; C Morrell, A Batson, I Quarry, P Alexov; J Wills. Reps: D Clare, J Batty, B Dobson, G Clare.

Thanks to Fred Swarbrick for his notes.