Vale stall against Manx menace

MATCH REPORT: Douglas 53 - 6 Vale of Lune

A fresh, dry and windless Saturday, amid the storm warnings for the Irish Sea, was most welcome at Port-O-Chee Meadows.

The logistics of overseas travel are considerable and distracting, but despite ferry delays, the stage was set for a NW2 clash of two teams hungry to advance in the league. 

Player availability was a factor in selection, with many of the Vale side playing in unfamiliar positions. Douglas had no such issues and, from the outset, were co-ordinated and effective in possession.

The first points came from a penalty kick from 30 metres, quickly followed by a reciprocal effort from Chris Ramwell to draw level. Poised for a tit-for-tat game, the balance was upset by the Manx front row. In quick succession, both props charged through the Vale defence to score, and both were duly converted. 

The Vale came back strongly at the end of the first half. The clock ran on for six additional minutes of siege warfare in the Douglas twenty-two metre area. Despite composed possession and a high threat level, the Vale were unable to profit and the half time score stayed at 17-3 to the home team. 

Sweeping changes were made to the forwards, with all three replacements: Ben Keenan, Matty Davenport and Kieran Pickup coming on together. The backs also underwent an overhaul with Jordan Fern swapping places with Jack Batty. A renewed surge ensued, resulting in another penalty goal from Ramwell.

The Vale's effort was not in doubt, but the Douglas pack were big and confident. They contained the Vale with composure and efficiency. In possession, they probed relentlessly until the inevitable schisms appeared in the Vale ranks. Clearance kicks failed to achieve their aims and the subsequent Douglas attacks were menacing and persistent. 

The Douglas tries rained in like a leaky gazebo. Frustration showed in the faces of Vale players and supporters. When the match result had become academic, a brawl broke out, leaving referee Catherine Ansell no option but to issue a straight red to second row Harry Fellows, who she deemed to have been overdoing it.

Things went from bad to worse when 'flanker for the day' Harm Dokter suffer an ankle injury and limped off. Two more tries were notched-up to pass the fifty mark giving Douglas a boost up the NW2 league table. 

A consensus anointed prop Archie Fowler as the top contributor for the Vale. It was one 'positive' in an afternoon of 'negatives.' The coaching team now have two weeks in which to put this result behind them.

The next outing is against high-flying Firwood Waterloo on Saturday 12th of October at Powder House Lane. Kick off at 3pm. 

Team: A. Fowler, A. Powers, J. Harrison, H. Fellows, J. Wallbank, H. Dokter, J. Chadwick, J. Ayrton (c), J. Fern, J. Silverwood, H. Dodge, S. Morgan, C. Ramwell, T. Bell, J. Batty.   Reps: M. Davenport, K. Pickup, B. Keenan.