Vale of Lune 3rd XV v Kirkby Lonsdale 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV

Glen Summers
Dan Blenkharn
Tom Greaves
Paul Rowlands
Adam Watson
Si Middlehurst
Callum Hall
Eddie Abdelghafar
Paul Scott
Matti Short
Dave Penrice
Ryan Fawcett
Richard Dewar ©
Joe Summers
Scott Manning
Ben Wallace
Kark Hansen
Sam Hansen
Ken Baxter
Karan Banga

The Kirkby Lonsdale XV arrived at the Vale with a considerable following. The number expanded, as their 1st XV were due to take the park versus Vales 1st XV after the completion of this Division 2 North contest.

Discussions between the officials of both Clubs had continued throughout the week regards the status of the game today. The game had been switched to Powderhouse Lane with an early K.O. at 1.30p.m. to allow completion of the fixture before the commencement of the 1st XV game.

In fact the game had been switched from Kirkby to allow the 1st to be watched by their 2nd XV. They will now return to the Vale next week to compete in the 2nd Round of the Cotton Traders Trophy. Should todays game be double headed or not ??. The source of much discussion as the week progressed. It was indeed a League Game as a stand alone.

The game kicked off in dismal conditions but these conditions were to improve as the game progressed. Is this unique in the history of the Club two sets of Dads and Lads in the same side (Karl Hansen and son Sam Hansen and Glen Summers and his son Joe Summers)

Both dads must be immensely proud, Our Referee today Mr. Phil Edwards from the Leagues Associations of Referees had travelled from Manchester for the game. The Society were short of Refs today. He was to enjoy a terrific game keeping control and running the game fairly. Thanks to him for travelling.

The game kicked off and immediately Matti Short broke free taking the game to the Kirkby line. Dan Blenkharn in support providing his usual drive in support. Does he ever take a step backward. ???

Callum Hall was using his strength to backfoot the Kirkby threequarters in the middle of the park, and with Matti Shorts guile the game moved to the Kirkby line. A penalty was conceded by Kirkby and Matti Short converted, to go 3 points to nil after 15 minutes.

The youthful Kirkby side were now on the attack and the Vale XV were clearly under pressure. Some dour defence by the Vale 8 kept them out with Si Middlehurst, Paul Rowlands and Adam Watson driving in to prevent a 5 pointer. A penalty was conceded and subsequently converted to take the score to 3 pts each.

Dropped passes were becoming a feature of the game from both sides as they strove to get some dominance.

On 42 minutes Matti Short again converted taking their score to 6 points. But on 45 minutes Kirkby were to cross to allow them to take the lead at 8 pts to 6 pts.

At this stage Karl Hansen had joined the fray with his son. He was to provide some dominance in the set pieces. In the pack as it was the Vale did enjoy a degree of dominance with Paul Rowlands, Adam Watson and Tom Greaves showing no mean strength in the tight play. Eddie Abdelghafar in the early stages was taking the game to Kirkby in the loose and showing some great strength.

Kirkby now in the lead were showing some enterprise through their youthful threequarters.

The Vale were now pressing and Scott Manning, possibly the most experienced player on the park, was showing his ability to beat players , Ryan Fawcett, just great to see Ryan back in harness was also showing his undoubted experience.

Matti Short was on target for another 3 pts followed by a further 3 to take the Vale to lead at 12 pts to 8 pts.

Joe Summers had now come on to the field and was rewarded with a score taking the Vale to 17 pts. The Kirkby sides spirit had survived and after a concerted drive up the field the crossed for a 5 pointers taking their score to 13 points. Now “squeaky bum” time as the Kirkby XV as a whole were swarming close to the Vale line. A severe drive took them over but Referee Mr. Edwards blew for the ball being “held up”.

That would have put Kirkby in the lead. At this stage and with only 5 minutes to go, by now Paul Scott had moved to wing forward and Koran Banga had taken over at scrum half. Ryan Fawcett gathered the ball and with a massive kick, not needing any directional thought, took the game into the Kirkby 22 relieving the considerable pressure being exerted by the Kirkby side.

At 17 points to 13 points this one kick would prove to be a game saver.

Must admit I can’t select a M.O.M. this week all put in so much effort and with Skipper Rich Dewar leading by example the Vale side deserved the win at this time.

More to come next Saturday as we get involved in Cup Rugby. It is important that all make themselves available to repeat todays victory. Round three beckons on the 27th January. We will be in the mix !!!!

F.S.