AFTER YOU WITH FACTOR FIVE, CLAUDE

VALE OF LUNE 34      CARLISLE 17

.An exciting curtain raiser to a new season was neatly bracketed between the antics of two clubofficials wrestling with the complexities of the electronic and digital age.
Prior to kick off the Commercial Manager discovered that the newly installed radio microphone system refused to deliver a decibel in the test transmission despite a full array of flashing lights on the console. So no mobile ping pong pre match, or any pitch side updates.
After the final whistle the Press Secretary sought the sanctuary of the office to text the result to the splendid, informative 'Rugby Round Up' results service. Dripping with perspiration the virgin texter fumbled his way over the touch pad. Eventually the magic words 'Message Sent' appeared as the result disappeared into the ether and the waiting world. Viva T. Mobile!

As always the bold figures in the scoreline failed to describe a fizzing second half that grabbed the attention from start to finish; the first forty was nervous, bitty and played at a furious pace which produced quite a number of handling errors. A steadfast guiding hand on the tiller was required, but the greyhounds were out of their traps long before the rabbit had completed one lap.

Thankfully everyone was calmed down during the interval, and the Vale of Lune briskly extended their 5-3 lead with an Andrew Garnett penalty goal after two minutes play. Carlisle replied immediately when Louis Boyd's crossfield meander suggested that some Vale players had not completed their sessions with the tackle bags. Prop Adam Spencer went over unopposed after he had popped up to take Boyd's pass; Luke Graham's conversion required the help of an upright.

Without drawing breath the Vale retook the lead four minutes later when Garnett pounced on a Carlisle error. He hacked the ball over the goal line and bravely won the race for the touchdown, his conversion also went over with a rebound off the post. Play continued at a rapid pace but unlike the first half, the error count was drastically reduced. In the fifty fourth minute the Vale lapsed, and once again the finger of suspicion pointed at some abject tackling. A number of players eyes were firmly fixed on the ground as they trooped behind the posts following winger Lee Brumpton's super solo effort, Graham converted.

As the game moved into the final quarter Vale's full back Martin Hossack left the action with a broken metacarpal, and like the other debutantes on show, Mark Walker, Jack Payne, David Schuyler and Alex Cowey, he created a favourable impression and fully justified his and the others selection.

In the sixty fourth minute a Garnett penalty nudged the Vale into a one point lead after Carlisle were penalised for too much vigour at the line out. Ian Bird's try followed a passage of swift crossfield passing created from a turn over, Garnett converting with eight minutes remaining. Carlisle's ability to launch counter attacks posed an ever present thrat. Another dangerous run from Brumpton was halted by James Bryan, having been moved to full back, with a majestic try saving tackle.

In the closing minutes the Vale visibly found another gear, while the introduction of fresh legs definitely helped their cause. Bannister Bates 'Man of the Match', Malcolm Fowler, claimed a try after the forwards had combined well from a ten metre line out. Danny Lin's powerful break split the Carlisle defence; Bryan came up in support to crown a splendid second half with the final try.
Two scores were produced in the first half. An early penalty from Graham opened the scoring with the Vale's try arriving in the twenty ninth minute when skipper Neil Bennetts scampered over following a surging run from Bird.

Shirt sleeves and strappy tops were much in evidence on a warm afternoon, the weather and the result making it a perfect day for birthday boy John Gill, who recognised a number of his former Carlisle adversaries in their travelling committee. Before the sun had set the stories of fixtures against Carlisle abounded but I gather that Warwick Road was one of the few grounds that John had not back heeled the ball over the posts or headed it out from a line out!

VALE OF LUNE - M.Hossack (Rep J.Payne 62), J.Bryan, A.Garnett, I.Bird, J.Curran, N.Bennetts (Capt), M.Walker, P.Jackson, G.Barton (Rep D.Schuyler 70), D.Halliwell (Rep A.Cowey 82), M.Speight, L.Farnworth, D.Lin, J.Knox, M.Fowler.

Bannister Bates Man of the Match -  Malcolm Fowler