Lancashire RFU president Clif Barker will be a special guest at Vale’s game against Tyldesley at Powderhouse Lane on Saturday.  It promises to be a great match against old and friendly rivals.  Please note that the game will kick off at 3pm as will all of the rest of the home fixtures this season.

With winter now well and truly here,  Vale players are training indoors on Thursdays, using the facilities at the nearby Lancaster and Morecambe College.  And the sessions are now to start at 7pm so that players can study the videos of the previous weekend’s game.  Joint Director of Coaching Andy Higgin said: “Filming the games is something new for us and the end result provides us with a good opportunity to analyse our strengths and our weaknesses.”  Training proper will begin at 7.30pm.

Vale of Lune’s fixture against Garstang on Saturday the 26th December is away and not at home as published in the fixture card.  The Vikings and the B team are combining to send a team to Kirkby Lonsdale on  the same day.  Both games kick off at 2.15pm. 

 On Monday, 28th December, Vale Junior Colts are at home to Altrincham Kersal.  That games kicks off at 12 noon.

About 18 months ago I met John Owen at the Vale when he was Senior Vice president of The RFU. We met to discuss the project we were involved in with the introduction of 14 team leagues. John was offering his full support for what we were doing. He is now The RFU President.

During the work with him, and I worked closely with him at a Seminar in Woking where the whole structure for our game as it is now, was finalised and now implemented, he suggested when he was President he would invite Madeleine and myself to join him at Twickenham.

 Never thought any more about it until some 4 weeks ago when the phone rang. John Owen here, I want you and your wife to join me at Twickenham for the Argentinian game. I was gob smacked. !!

 In the next few days we received all information regards the day. Tickets for the Presidents lounge, Tickets for the Royal Box, Tickets for the Players dinner post match.

 We travelled down last Friday, he suggested he would join us at the Lensbury Friday evening. I said no problem he would have too many things on at Twickenham at that time. At 9.30p.m. true to his word in he came just to check we were O.K. We were !! We’d enjoyed an evening with old friends, Tim Sturk, Bob Reeves, Bob Grant, Rob Briers etc. reminiscing. All envious and puzzled as to how we might be invited into the presidents Lounge in front of these Gents who had put years in. I said I did not know why !! I didn’t !! Howver you don’t turn these things down.

 Saturday a.m. 10.45 a.m. coach from The Lensbury to Twickenham. Ushered straight to the Presidents Lounge met by The President and some of the hierarchy of the RFU. Down to the drink – what no beer – must slum it with G & Ts and Pink Champagne. Did it flow. !!

 Into Lunch at 12.00 noon. Sat opposite the President. Starter Lamb Shoulder, main course Fish and Chips with mushy peas. Fish and Chips !!  Sweet and cheese and biscuits to follow. All washed down with ample helpings of white wine. Surprisingly we weren’t p—ssed.

 After a speech from the president we proceeded to the royal Box to watch a crap game of Rugby but who cared. We’d had a terrific day with more to come.

 Game over we moved back into the Presidents Lounge for more – Would you believe it G&Ts – before receiving the call to go to the Players Dinner at 6.00p.m.

 We were on a table with the old England Skipper John Spencer and his daughter, I reminded him I’d roomed with him at Birkenhead Park. He remembered. Martin Thomas Chairman of the Board and his wife. Richard Appleby Senior Vice president and his wife. A number of us will know Richard from the past in the days of us playing Northern. He is still there. David Branthwaite and his wife Chairman of Wigton was also with us.

 More wine, Richard offered that I looked lost with a glass of wine he would get me a pint. No luck pump had broken down. Back to the wine.

 All speeches were before the meal. John Owen offered everyone to beware The Cumbria mafia were with us this evening. Steve Borthwicks speech was possibly the best.

 After the meal mingling took place see the photographs all the players were approachable. I was proud when          “ Martin” !! offered to have his photograph taken with Madeleine. If you haven’t seen him – he is a giant – Madeleine is not sat down. Andy Goode too joined us for a picture.

 Johnny Willkinson disappeared half way through the meal, but John Spencer’s daughter caught him for a picture.

Back to the bus for the trip back to The Lensbury, straight to the bar – would you believe it – but now beer. Left David Miller and his wife at 12.30 for bed leaving behind the singing of the Bob Reeves and Tim Stirk group.

Believe me I was pushing the Vale and The Miller Homes leagues all weekend.

A marvellous experience, never to be missed, and we are both grateful to John Owen and his wife Joan for the invitation. He says he will join us at the Vale this season and I know he will.

                              Fred with his selection of photos of the day 

                                             View from the Royal Box

Fred Swarbrick.

Vale of Lune forward Kat Evans is in the England Womens’ Development Squad.  She actually played for the national side against the Combined Services on Wednesday.  Kat, who plays at hooker, was selected after some stirring performances for Vale and for Lancashire this season.  Coach, Phil Stott said her selection was just reward for all her hard work.  “Kat is an inspiring player and opefully she can progress into the full England team.  She certainly deserves this recognition which reflects well on her and on the club.”

With both Neil Bennetts and Danny Hollandinjured, Vale will have a new half back pairing for Saturday’s game against Liverpool St Helens.  It means a return for experienced scrum-half Owen Hughes and a full debut for stand-off Keith Quigley.  Elsewhere James Hodder returns to the wing and Olly Austin is paired in the centre with Ian Bird.  The game kicks off at 3pm and lunch will be available before that.  The Vale teams is: Adam Birchall; James Hodder, Ian Bird, Olly Austin, Alistair Richards; Keith Quigley, Owen Hughes; James Hesketh, David Schuyler, Jay Ashton-Yamnikar, Lee Acton (capt), Dan Perry, Danny Lin, Andy Garnett, Sam Wallbank.  Replacements: Phil Jackson, Adam McCluskie, Fraser Spavin.