Vale of Lune Social beat Kendal Social

Match report: Vale Social 43  Kendal Social 12

The warmth of the Easter weather was enough to inspire 33 Vale men to turn out for this local derby.

Taking to the vast main pitch, the newly rebranded Vale Social (formerly Veterans) side took on their Kendal counterparts who had dished out a proper thumping to the Vale back in November, but the ugly face of revenge was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, the crowd enjoyed a spectacle played in the best traditions of fun, fellowship and sport. 

Under the coaching wisdom of Paul Peters, the authoritative captaincy of Karl Hansson and the balanced arbitration of referee Richard Beveridge, the blend of youth and experience, in cherry and white, fell into place like a hand in a glove.

New lad Karan Banga and old lad Aaron Melville formed a highly efficient half-back supply chain, and that early possession was soon converted into points by the flamboyant Ryan Busby, with a sprint down the right flank.

Kendal hit back instantly with a try under the posts and the scene was set for a battle royal. Kendal pressed with forward pressure and soon took the lead, but the Vale had some secret weapons on their elongated subs bench. 

The first of the planned rotations at 20 minute intervals paid dividends. A gap in the Kendal defence on their 22 line was exploited by Paul Richardson, who popped the ball into the hands of Kyran Sharples to reclaim the lead before half time.

The score stood at 14 points to 12 to the home side as half time rehydration took place. 

More changes ensued but the skills of Busby remained a threat. He touched down for his second try as he had with his first. It became apparent that the vast range of replacements gave the Vale fresh legs and lungs whenever they were required. Kendal, however, had only one man on the bench and each player had to put in a shift with barely a breather.

This proved to be a vital factor. With boundless energy, Vale winger Lewis Trowse got the crowd excited with a left flank dash of 60 yards to score. A try from Jack Batty and another from Trowse added excess icing as well as the charry on the cake. 

Notable Vale performances came from Trowse and Banga, but the Kendal team nominated Vale full back Ryan Busby as man-of-the-match.

The rebranding of the social team to encourage Vale players of all ages to take part has had the best of starts.

The will to arrange more such fixtures next season is strong. Next Saturday sees the return of NW2 action for the Vale first XV. The match against Birkenhead Park (kick off 3pm) will follow the annual Past Players' Lunch. Anyone who has ever pulled on a Vale shirt will be most welcome. 

Vale Squad: G. Summers, F. Sucgang, F. Bartle, K. Hansson, S, Hansson, P. Scott, A. Wood, E. Abdelghafar, K. Banga, A. Melville, B. Pye, G. Kellet, M. Pike, L. Trowse, S. Stewart, L. Farnworth, E. Hutchinson, K. Sharples, B. Cooper, S. Middlehurst, E. Marchment, J. Batty, L. French, A,. Hartley, R. Martin, D. Davis, W. Beedon, P. Richardson, J. Hansson, A. Beard, C. McFarland.