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Vale of Lune 29 Aldwinians 12

Trevor Hulmes
8/10/2008

IN ATROCIOUS conditions, the unbeaten league leaders from Lancaster weathered the storm best to outscore Aldwinians by four tries to two and retain control of the North Lancs/Cumbria league.

On a very windy and wet day at Powderhouse Lane, Vale dominated play in and around the visitors’ 22 early on, and they were rewarded with a try on nine minutes in the right-hand corner for a 5-0 lead.

A Pete Hughes clearance on the half-hour mark took play back into the Vale half, and a penalty then gave a rare attacking line out position in their 22 area.

The throw-in was won, scrum-half Paul Thorpe saw the half chance and nipped through the opening to set the ball up five metres out where prop John Edwards was on hand to drive over for a try which James Worrall converted.

The scoreline of 7-5 was a shock to the home side, and quietened a noisy stand of home supporters.

The visitors kicked off the second half, but two early penalties conceded in succession by Bob Palmer enabled Vale to get themselves into goal-kicking territory.

On 43 minutes they were back in front at 8-7.

An injury to loose head prop Edwards seemed to hamper the scrummage and six minutes later, from a scrum 15 metres out on the right, a Vale heel and a blindside run resulted in their second try of the game and a conversion to move the score to 15-7.

A quick heel then set the Vale backs in motion again, and thir centre broke through weak tackling to touch down near the posts for a 22-7 lead on 53 minutes.

The odds were now on a heavy home victory, but the Aldwinians forwards gave as good as they received in the ruck and maul and made Vale work for every opportunity.

Indeed it was Aldwinians who got on the scoresheet again soon after. A forward pass broke down one move, but then a reverse pass between Worrall and centre Dave Taylor opened the way for a try to reduce the arrears to 22-12.

The pack continued to work hard to kick start the game back into Aldwinians favour, but it was too late in the gruelling conditions.

The coup-de-grace was delivered with five minutes to go after some inept defence in the Aldwinians three-quarters let in Vale for a try under the posts.

A final scoreline of 29-12 was Vale’s reward and they deserved the spoils on the balance of play.

This Saturday Upper Eden travel from Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria to Audenshaw Park for a league encounter [3pm ko].