Vale of Lune suffer defeat on the Wirral

MATCH REPORT: Birkenhead Park 36 - Vale of Lune 19

In the penultimate league game for both sides the Vale travelled to Birkenhead Park keen to avenge a 39-19 home defeat in early September.

With Park sitting in third place in the table and the Vale three places below them there was nothing to play for but pride, and so it proved.

A minute of silence was observed before the match to commemorate Vale player Zak Elderton who died last Sunday. 

Braving the elements a large appreciative crowd was treated to an open game with credit to both sides considering the wet and blustery conditions. Vale almost took a first minute lead when Damon Hall kicked ahead but his following chase was foiled by the small dead ball area.

The large home pack went through the mauling phases for a converted try in the fifth minute. Vale’s front row players made thrusts on the opposition 22 but Park’s defence held firm.

The home side ran in three more tries (two converted)  bringing up their bonus point.

The almost veteran James Hesketh replaced prop Joe Stevens to make his presence felt with a high stepping burst was stopped short of the line. Olly Jacques and Damon Hall combined well with the latter touching down his own kick ahead with Chris Ramwell converting.

A period of continuous pressure by the Vale forwards saw the ball pass speedily along the backs for winger Jordan Fern to score Vale’s second try for Ramwell adding the extras giving a half-time score of 26-14.

Vale’s coach Rob Quarry rearranged his back division giving youngsters Freddie Bartle and Sam Walton their debuts with both taking to the fray literally like ducks to water! Park kicked a penalty and scored a further converted try, but not before Vale’s Louis Evans scored a try which was scant reward for his fellow forwards stalwart efforts in the most trying of conditions.  

The final Vale NW2 league game of the season is away at Rochdale next Saturday. Kick off at 3pm. 

Team: Bonia, Mount, Stevens, Evans, Field, Powers, Ayrton, Clair, Thomas, Hall, Jacques, Peters, Busby, Fern, Ramwell.

Reps. Bartle, Hesketh, Walton.