Saturday 24th April 2010 

Miller Homes Division Three North

With a number of their regular players injured or unavailable for the Vale’s final fixture of the season, they travelled to Clitheroe without any replacements. Chris Brown volunteered to play at hooker, Paul Antcliffe made a rare appearance and full back Joe Crookall was recruited at the last minute.

A stubborn Vale fifteen refused to allow the home side the freedom of the park and forced them to work hard for their victory.  All the Vale’s points came in the second half with a try from Derek Eames after the pack had heaved the home side’s eight over their goal line. The versatile Martin Powell kicked the conversion in addition to putting over a penalty goal.

A number of penalty kicks at goal were declined by the Vale who adopted a cavalier approach and went hunting for further points.  They played throughout with pride and determination against a well drilled side who were always favourites to win after they had established a 24-0 lead at half time.

Vale B:  J Crookall;  P Antcliffe, M Thackeray, P Scott, M Hazelgrave;  L Gierke, S Briggs;  D Eames, C Brown, D Hickling;  D Rainford, S Middlehurst;  P Morris, M Powell, T Hayes.

Miller Homes Division Three North

Saturday 27th March 2010

The visitors gained revenge for their home defeat at the beginning of December with former Vale player Dean Williams playing an influential role throughout in a competitive encounter.

Kirkby Lonsdale established an early lead against a Vale side that conceded an alarming number of penalties. Eventually the home side tightened up their game and began to play with more purpose. Martin Powell kicked two penalty goals and Leon Gierke side stepped his way over for a try to ensure that the Vale were back in touch at half time.

Vale made changes to their line up at half time, the introduction of Matt Thackeray, coming back from injury, brought solidity and experience to the back division. Gierke scored a typical opportunist try with a piece of quick thinking when he nudged the ball over the line after a penalty kick fell short, Powell converted.

A try from man of the match Richard Dewar following a break down the left, converted by Powell pushed the Vale into an eight point lead but Kirkby Lonsdale came back strongly to secure victory.

Vale “B”: M Hazelgrave;  T Austin, P Scott, S Middlehurst, D Hughes;  L Gierke, M Powell;  G Speak. J Whitty, G Surtees;  D Hickling, D Eames;  D Harrison, P Morris, R Dewar.

Replacements: G summers, P Wolfenden, St Middlehurst, R Mudd, T Hays, L Birchall, C Brown

Miller Homes Division Three North

Saturday 20th March 2010

Although the Vale defeated Fylde at the end of November they found their opponents a different kettle of fish on their own large patch at Ansdell, and for the second week in succession they suffered a heavy defeat.

 Trailing 30-0 at the interval, the Vale made a positive start to the second half, opening the scoring with a well taken try from the impressive Chris Jones who thundered over. Jones, a Vale Colt’s player, added a second when he broke through a number of tackles in a confident run. Martin Powell converted one of the tries in addition to kicking a penalty goal in a much improved second half performance from the Vale.

Paul Morris and Richard Dewar worked hard throughout, replacement Mark Sutcliffe helped to solidify a creaking scrummage following changes during the first half. In the backs scrum half Mike Huntington played with his usual enthusiasm, while replacement Jeff Jefferson showed resolve in testing circumstances.

Vale “B”: M Hazelgrave;  C Jones, M Powell, P Scott, T Austin;  D Hughes, M Huntington;  D Hickling, J Whitty, Surtees;  D Eames, C Brown;  P Morris, R Dewar, L Birchall.

Replacements used: D Harrison, M Sutcliffe, J Jefferson

Miller Homes League Division Three North

Saturday 27th February 2010 

Vale made the perfect start at Hutton when Mike Hazelgrave went over for an early try converted by Martin Powell. Unfortunately the Vale rested on their laurels and allowed Hutton back into the game. The home side took full advantage and courtesy of two unconverted tries, edged into the lead.

These two scores galvanised the Vale into action and they responded with a series of surges deep into Hutton territory. Powell converted his own try and just before half time the hard working Chris Brown claimed an unconverted try.

After a rousing half time team talk from team manager, Paul Antcliffe, a workmanlike Vale side contained the home side but unfortunately they failed to press home a number of attacks. As the game moved into its final quarter a converted Hutton try reduced the visitor’s lead to a couple of points.

A penalty goal from Powell settled the Vale’s nerves before the lively Jonathan Archer powerfully broke through a number of tackles prior to sending David Hughes racing over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Vale successfully held the home side at arm’s length as the clock ticked down. During the second half the introduction of Tom Hayes added impetus to the Vale’s cause in what had been a tricky encounter at Hutton, but the visitors ratcheted up the tension by easing off at critical stages during the game.

Vale “B”: J Archer;  J Hurst, P Scott, S Middlehurst, M Hazelgrave;   D Hughes, S Briggs;   J Burns, J Whitty, G Speak;   D Hickling, G Summers;   C Brown, M Powell, P Morris.

Replacements: T Hayes, G Surtees, S Hodgson, P Wolfenden, St Middlehurst.

Miller Homes Division Three North

Saturday 20th February 2010

Vale’s fourth team travelled to Rossendale to take on the league leaders and in a tough encounter had little time to admire the Alpine scenery that formed an impressive backdrop to the pitches at the Marlpits Sports Centre.

Although the home side ran out eventual winners they did not find the Vale an easy pushover unlike the last meeting at Powder House Lane when they won at a canter, 58-10.

Rossendale opened the scoring with an interception try but the expected avalanche failed to materialise as the Vale battled their way back into contention. From a tap penalty Glen Summers thundered over from close range with a number of Rossendale players clinging to his jersey.

The game remained evenly poised until the closing minutes of the half when Rossendale added a penalty and a try. In the second half Rossendale gradually increased their lead but the Vale came back into contention with a splendid solo try from scrum half Matthew Hurst, converted by Martin Powell.

Sensing the danger Rossendale, the league’s pace setters, regrouped to extend their lead and to keep the Vale at arm’s length for the remainder of the game.

Full back Jonathan Archer courageously throughout in what was a pleasing team performance, unfortunately the Vale had to play the second hard without their hard working prop, John Burns who suffered a recurrence of a neck injury.

Vale “B”: J Archer; D Hughes, S Middlehurst, P Scott, M Hazelgrave; L Gierke, M Hurst; G Surtees, J Whitty, J Burns; C Brown, G Summers; D Hickling, D Harrison, M Powell.

Replacements: S Hodgson, R Dewar, T Austin.

Saturday 13/02/10 

Miller Homes Division Three North

Referee Ryan Fish is growing in stature and despite his youthful, angelic looks he is no pushover and should not be considered a soft touch. In a robust encounter he refused to be intimidated, applied the letter of the law, and was not afraid to issue the appropriately coloured cards, as players from both sides were to discover to their cost.

The home side led 34-7 at half time against a Bolton side that began to lose their early composure. But the visitors came back strongly in the second half, when the Vale struggled to maintain, not only their shape but also their discipline, to level the game, before Martin Powell dramatically secured victory in the closing minutes with a well struck penalty goal.

Powell, who had left his kicking boots behind for the previous week’s encounter against Pendle, was in magnificent form; kicking five penalties, including the match winner, a number being from difficult positions, plus a conversion.

Stuart Middlehurst opened the scoring for the Vale when he took advantage of an overlap to score an unconverted try. Bolton hit back with a converted try but their lack of discipline resulted in players being sent to the sin bin, the Vale took full advantage of the situation to increase their score.

Mike Hazelgrave and the strong running Matt Thackeray ran in tries against a stretched defence, and Derek Eames peeled off a scrum to bulldoze his way over, while “Mr Boot” ensured the Vale turned round with a healthy lead.

This quickly evaporated as Bolton rallied in the second half and the Vale’s game began to fragment. Their cause was not helped when Jonathan Archer was shown red and under considerable pressure the Vale saw their lead gradually whittled away by a determined Bolton side. But with the game drifting towards a draw Powell picked Bolton’s pockets with his successful penalty to save the Vale’s blushes.

Jamie Antcliffe played an influential role throughout, Powell was ice cool, but the Vale played the second forty without one of their talismen, lock Dan Rainford, who was taken to hospital with an ankle injury.

Vale “B”:  J Antcliffe;   St Middlehurst, M Thackeray, J Archer, M Hazelgrave;   L Gierke, S Briggs;   G Speak, J Whitty, J Burns;   D Hickling, D Rainford;   M Powell, D Eames, D Harrison.

Reps: G Summers, G Surtees, S Hodgson, C Brown, Si Middlehurst.

Miller Homes Division Three North

6^th February 2010

At the end of September the Vale suffered a massive defeat over at Pendle, but they turned things around with a tremendous performance to ensure the points were shared after battling their way back into contention in the second half. However, the Vale were left to reflect on the number of missed attempts from conversions or penalties.

Pendle’s experience scrum half was instrumental in setting up his side’s first score but the Vale came back to level the scores when their in-form prop, Gavin Speak forced his way over from close range.

A series of missed tackles allowed the visitors to score an opportunists try before half time. 

This score was a body blow to the Vale, but they regrouped, tightened up their game and started to play with increasing confidence. Leon Gierke kicked ahead, the alert Mike Hazelgrave collected the ball, drew in the Pendle full back before flicking a pass to Paul Scott to touch down for an unconverted try.

The Vale drew level with twelve minutes remaining with a perfectly executed passage of inventive rugby. With all the action taking place on one side of the field, Gierke cross kicked to the wide open spaces. Jonathan Archer anticipated the tactic, took the ball in full flight to score wide out, with Gierke, facing the most difficult kick of the game, adding the extras with a conversion from wide out.

Lock Dan Rainford again put in a full shift both inside and outside the boiler room, Jamie Antcliffe produced a most accomplished performance first at full back and later in the game as a replacement scrum half in a fixture where the Vale deserved to share the points.

Vale “B”: J Antcliffe; D Hughes, M Thackeray, P Scott, M Hazelgrave; L Gierke, J Whyke; J Burns, G Surtees, G Speak; D Rainford, D Hickling; P Morris, D Harrison, M Powell.

Reps: C Brown, G Summers, D Eames, S Middlehurst, J Archer, T Hayes

Fleetwood 2nds 23   -    Vale “B” 13

Miller Homes Division Three North

 Vale’s splendid winning sequence, which stretched back to the end of November, was halted by Fleetwood’s title chasing second team at Melbourne Avenue, in one of the three Division Three North games played.

 Of course there was a degree of disappointment at the final outcome in the Vale camp, but they produced a battling performance against a team that grew in confidence, despite being reduced to fourteen players in the second half.

 The opening twenty minutes were evenly contested but Fleetwood went ahead with a try wide out following a move engineered by their lively half backs, this duo posed a threat throughout. Martin Powell kicked a long range penalty for the Vale from just inside the Fleetwood half as the Vale forwards began to take control.

 From a solid platform the ball was moved to the left. Simon Middlehurst took on two Fleetwood defenders, blasting through their tackles on his way to an unconverted try. The home side levelled the scores but in the closing minutes tempers flared, resulting in a Fleetwood player being shown a red card.

 Early in the second half the Vale were awarded a penalty but with their scrum on top and the opposition reduced in numbers they opted for a scrum. Fleetwood were trundled back over their own goal line with Dean Hickling claiming a deserved unconverted try.

 The turning point of the game occurred when the Vale were penalised at a scrum on the half way line and from a quickly taken tap Fleetwood’s scrum half streaked away for a converted try between the posts. This score inspired the home side who began to move the ball freely and stretch the Vale on their way to victory.

 For the Vale Dan Rainford played to his potential with a barn storming performance, Gavin Speak was rock solid in a pack that dominated for long periods, while in the threequarters Matt Thackeray was strong in both defence and attack. Replacement Jonathan Archer came on in the second half after a long lay through injury; he quickly picked up the pace and suffered no adverse reaction.

 Vale “B”: M Hazelgrave;   T Austin, M Thackeray, P Scott, S Middlehurst;   D Hughes, S Briggs;   G Speak, J Whitty, J Burns;   D Hickling, D Rainford;  C Brown, D Harrison, M Powell.

Reps used: P Morris, G Surtees, J Whyke, J Archer.

Miller Homes Division Three North

Despite the five week break in their season the Vale hit the ground running and amassed all their points in a stunning first half performance. Although the visitors beefed up their pack in the second half the Vale were too well organised and committed to relinquish their fourth deserved victory on the trot.

Straight from the opening blast on the whistle the Vale launched an attack and with stand off Leon Gierke pulling the strings behind a well organised pack the Vale raced to a 13-0 lead inside twenty minutes.

A well executed run-around move involving Gierke ended with Matt Thackeray powering over for a try converted with aplomb by Martin Powell with a well struck kick from a far from easy angle. Powell slotted two penalty goals as Upper Eden struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

The Vale played some scintillating rugby and as the half drew to a close another slick handling movement stretched the visitor’s defence, Mike Hazelgrave exploited the overlap created with an unconverted try.

Upper Eden came more into the game in the second forty but the Vale remained in control, although the opportunities to increase their score were restricted. In Vale’s pack, prop Gavin Speak produced a rock solid tireless performance but victory was built around a splendid team performance as the Vale avenged a defeat at Kirkby Stephen earlier in the season.

Vale “B”: J Antcliffe; D Hughes, M Thackeray, P Scott, M Hazelgrave; L Gierke, S Briggs; D Eames, J Whitty, G Speak; S Middlehurst, D Rainford; D Hickling, D Harrison, M Powell.

Reps used: J Whyke, C Brown, J Welsh, T Hayes, J Burns.

Miller Home Division Three North

Saturday 12th December  2009

Leon Gierke crowned a bubbly performance by being named Man of the Match and collecting a bottle of fizz kindly donated by Mrs Pat Atkinson in memory of her husband Peter. The stand off’s hat trick being an integral component in the Vale’s third victory on the trot. 

The Vale were always in control but it took them a while to break down some stubborn resistance from the visitors, but once the cork had been released the points began to flow.

Stuart Middlehurst opened the scoring with a powerful surge after the in form Matt Thackeray had drew in the cover. Gierke opened his account, rounding off a neat and precise threequarter move. Martin Powell kicked a penalty goal and converted a second Gierke try before the interval.

The second half followed the pattern of the first forty with the well drilled Vale pack providing the backs with a steady supply of quality ball. Replacement Paul Morris burst onto the scene with a try after a strong run through the heart of the Bolton defence.

Paul Scott, who was a constant threat throughout, dashed eighty metres to set up Gierke’s third try. A well constructed move ended with Scott collecting a deserved try converted by Powell to complete another excellent bubbly team performance. The Vale are growing in confidence but they are fully aware they will face a testing away game against Clitheroe’s first team and will be hoping that the sparkle still remains.

Against Bolton the Vale had a full squad of players, with Paul Wolfenden volunteering to play for the visitors in the second half when they were reduced to fourteen players. Cheers!

Vale “B”: M Hazlegrove;  D Hughes, M Thackeray, P Scott, S Middlehurst;         L Gierke, S Briggs;  G Surtees, J Whitty, G Speak;  D Eames, D Hickling;             M Powell, D Harrison, M Manning.

Replacements used: C Brown, G Summers, P Morris, S Hodgson, T Austin.