Vale of Lune 3rd XV 14 pts v 27 pts Southport 2nd XV(Report by Fred Swarbrick)

The Vale XV.

Kieron Sharples
Matty Davenport
Tom “Grizzly” Greaves
Archie Watson
Tom Miller
Paul Scott
Dan Blenkharn
Liam Hall
Karan Banga
Dave Minikin
Josh Gittens
Rich Dewar ©
Martin Pike
Ben Wallace
Mark Bower
Stu Middlehurst (Good to see him fit again)
Simon Middlehurst (brothers)
Ollie Cousins

The Southport XV arrived at the Vale with a good following their 1st XV fixture being off. The game was to take place on the Vales main pitch which in fact was in remarkable condition considering the weather as experienced during the week. Thanks to the ground team that spend a great deal of time preparing the pitches. (All volunteers).

I think I’m right in saying it is many years since a Vale/Southport fixture was to be played.( If you won’t mind a side issue I actually played my last game of rugby away at the Southport Club and what a day and night it was. Presentation at the time by an old Lancashire/Southport stalwart Ted Whiteside. I wonder who in our Club might remember Ted Whiteside).

Apologies for this personal introduction and now to todays game….

The Southport XV were positioned in the League Table below the Vales position so in effect a close game was to be expected. The Vale XV are in many ways slowly becoming a settled side which augurs well as they move into some testing fixtures to the year end. The assumption in fact was wrong, the Southport XV were possibly the strongest, most effective side the Vale XV had met this season. If they can keep the side together as displayed today they will move up the table rapidly. Were they a side that had only won one game to date ??

The game kicked off in miserable weather although the rain kept off throughout the game. Within 5 minutes Southport had crossed for a first try. In line with recent games the Vae pack was proving to control the scrummaging. A steady strong front row of Kieron Sharples, Matty Davenport – proving to be a mainstay of the Vale eight – and Tom “Grizzly” Greaves were more than holding their own in the workhorse phase which is the front row. The second row of Tom Miller and Archie Watson were locking the scrum solidly and in this phase of the game the Vale side were decidedly superior.

The back row of Paul Scott – Scottie – Dan Blenkarn and Liam Hall possibly the most experienced part of the Vale scrummage were to not only provide the control in the scrummaging phase but were to set up some driving movements into the centre of the Southport defence. This particularly shown by Dan Blenkharn who never takes a backward step.

Must re-iterate the Southport XV were possibly the best side faced to date in the Wayne Lord League and 25 minutes into the game they crossed for a 2nd try with again failing with the conversion. They were showing tremendous pace filled with aggression and it was clear the Vale XV had a battle on their hands.

Outside the scrum Karan Banga at scrum half was clearing the ball tidily to his partner Dave Minikin but seemed to be under continuous pressure from the marauding Southport back three. With some adroit kicking Dave Minikin was able to push the Southport XV back and clearing any pressure on the Vale line.

The Southport side were causing the Vale XV many problems and were to score again before the half followed by a successful conversion.

In the centre Skipper Rich Dewar and Martin Pike were defending strongly and they had to do so against what was a strong back line of the Southport XV. Once again 1st up tackles were being missed allowing the Southport side to put pressure on the Vale side. The first up tackle is essential in any game.

The wings were seeing little of the ball but there is no doubt both have great pace. The speed of Josh Gittens was illustrated in a speedy swerving run in the second half beating a number of Southport defenders. At fullback today Mark Bower was secure in all he did, we know he also has pace but at fullback wasn’t able to show it. He was to move to the wing with the experienced Ollie Cousins taking over at fullback.

As the game moved on in the 2nd half the Vale side were beginning to show some control and after a concerted drive by Tom Millar Liam Hall was to score near the posts. Ollie Cousins converting. 22 points to 7 points…. Were we to see a fightback.??

From the Southport re-start Tom Gittens collected the ball and showing great pace took the Vale XV to the Southport line. With pressure being exerted from this run Liam Hall again was able to cross using his tremendous strength. Again Ollie Cousins converted.

22 points to 14 points were we to see a turn round, were the Southport XV tiring. Certainly the spirit in the Vale side was clear to see. Unfortunately at this stage a cross field kick from flyhalf Dave Minikin, and it was indeed a superb kick in the “Biggar” or should I say Finn Russell style was unfortunately picked up by the Southport wing who had a clear run to the line from the Vales half.

A number of names come to mind as offering the M.O.M. but must go for big two try Liam Hall…………..

The game closed at 27 points to 14 points to Southport, but will the Vale be facing such a well drilled XV in the return later in the season ?? To be seen….