EARLY EXIT.

Cup rugby has a habit of producing the odd surprise and this one had a twist in the tail.

Following the postponement of the first team’s fixture at Broughton Park the Thirds game took centre stage against Leigh, who on their arrival at Powderhouse Lane, expressed surprise at the condition of the playing surface after hearing of games being called off within the county due to flooding, but the pitch was of “bowling green” quality.

The visitors were quickly on the front foot and pressurised the Vale close to their line and testing the home side’s defence to the limits. Glen Summers, John Whitty and Paul Roberts, a formidable front row trio, were called on to make a number of knee high tackles to keep the marauding Leigh forwards a bay. Tom Needham, unusually playing in the second row, but using his experience to maximum effect alongside Stu Middlehurst helped to thwart Leigh’s intentions of posting an early score.

In their early onslaught Leigh spilled the ball which allowed scrum half Dave Minikin to clear the danger with a fine kick to touch. The heavier Vale pack began to use their poundage to good effect in all areas and they provided the ideal platform for the likes of full back Alex Batson to indulge in some elusive running.

Number eight Dave Robinson was at the heart of Vale’s defence while his straight line running forced Leigh onto the back foot. Centre Harry Evans was held up short of the line as the Vale began to stamp their authority on proceedings with Joe Bebbington, normally at the coal face, playing on the wing and the flying Alex Batson causing problems when the ball was moved wide.

Excellent line out ball was obtained by prop Paul Roberts and the Vale fully deserved to take the lead in the twenty seventh minute when Dave Minikin kicked a penalty goal. In the thirty fifth minute Leigh again were penalised by referee Mark Hamish, who had a fine game, with Dave Minikin guiding the ball between the uprights to complete the first half scoring.

Vale made changes at the start of the second half but their powerful pack continued to dominate. Skipper and wing forward, Paul Scott, was in his element, darting every which way, a constant thorn in Leigh’s side as was Dave Robinson. Matt Thackray, Harry Evans, and Matt Mitchell were all strong in defence and alert to any danger. Fly half Lewis Arbon, who was playing his last game, in his fashionable blue boots, pulled all the right strings and ensured Leigh were constantly looking over their shoulders.

A sweeping Vale attack, which involved all the threequarters, ended with the adventurous Alex Batson touching down for a deserved unconverted try.

Holding a comfortable lead and with the clock ticking down the Vale looked on course for a place in the next round but a brace of Leigh penalties brought them back into contention and suddenly the Vale began to wobble. They held out until the eighteenth minute when a Leigh rapier thrust ended with an unconverted try to level the scores.

Under the regulations for the competition when the tie is drawn and everything else is equal the away side moves forward into the next round. The final outcome was a huge disappointment for the Vale who for long periods controlled the game but were punished for taking their foot of the accelerator in the closing minutes.

Thanks to Fred Swarbrick for his words and Tony North for popping into The Lane to take the excellent photographs.