SOME THREEQUARTER TIME BUT MOSTLY EIGHT EIGHT

WHITCHURCH  25   VALE OF LUNE  12

The coach driver's Tom Tom went on the blink, Geoff's Tum Tum rumbled away when he read the description of the full English on the menu board in a cafe on the A49, Ding Dong wheezed the Alies when the bar staff in Whitchurch's clubhouse asked them if there was anything else they required, Wham Bam went the Whitchurch pack and Jacko Jacko proudly captained the Vale of Lune for the first time.

On yet another sublime October morning and early afternoon the coach meandered down the A49. After passing over Acton Swing Bridge, skirting Tarporley, drifting past the ancient ruins of Beeston and Cholmondley Castles, breezing alongside the hedges of properties that are certain to have graced the glossy pages of 'Cheshire Life', and fields full of healthy looking dairy cattle, the Whitchurch Ring Road was eventually reached.
After a quick u turn, Press Secretary again at fault, the entrance to the club's rolling acres was reached. Driver Alan spotted the goal posts, but a reminder to the Vikings when they play Whitchurch in April, turn left at the 'Gocontinental' depot.

The reputation of the Vale's travelling supporters had gone before them, but the large 'posse' failed to meterialise, however the hardy band were superbly entertained by President John in a welcoming clubhouse.

Injuries have started to pile up in recent weeks forcing not only changes but a reshuffling of slender resources. Dave Halliwell moved into the second row, but there was a noticeable lack of volunteers to launch him skywards. Andy Miller pulled on a flak jacket over his number ten shirt to complete the makeover.
The start was slightly delayed because of a colour clash, which gave former Vale player, Mark Nelson, who had not confused Edgeley Park Whitchurch, with Edgeley Park Stockport, an opportunity to settle his nerves after a fraught journey from Swansea where Sale Sharks had been playing the previous evening.

An early penalty goal from the home side's scrum half, Chris Hares, was answered with a well taken try in the tenth minute. Ian Bird, as sturdy as the oak trees that stood on sentry duty around the pitches, burst through the middle. Danny Lin carried on the move before Andy Miller arrowed a pass to winger Alistair Richards who crossed for his first senior try.
But the Shropshire lads, nudge nudge, wink wink, gave a glimpse of what they had in store for the visitors when they rumbled them over the line from a five metere line out, hooker Simon Wynn claiming the first of his three tries at the end of the first quarter. With nine minutes remaining Andy Garnett nicked the ball to sprint away for an opportunist try, which he converted from in front to establish a four point half time lead.

Such impudence was like waving a red flag in front of a bull, as the second half proved. A ground pawing, snorting Whitchurch pack roared on by a full 'Belton Cheese Stand', pinned the Vale in their own twenty two. Somehow the Vale held out for twnty minutes, but with Matthew Speight in the sin bin, and under constant pressure, the Vale conceded a penalty try which Chris Hares converted.
Having the advantage of the wind at their backs, plus playing down the slope, did not help the Vale and they were unable to halt the stampede towards their line. Simon Wynn added to his total in the seventieth and seventy fourth minutes as the Whitchurch forwards hit every note and all in right order.
With all the points safely gathered in, Whitchurch left some of the corral gates open and allowed the Vale to explore some of the territory that had been off limits for most of the second half. Unfortunately the hard working Luke Ford picked up an injury as the Vale tried in vain to add to their score.

Simon Wynn shared the traditional jug, plus a slug of Port, with his opponents in a busy clubhouse, after what had been a spirited performance from the Vale; a huge improvement from the previous week.
On the way home Phil 'Django' Watson strummed his guitar, and when the coach pulled up outside 'Crows' in Lancaster, the Membership Secretary and the resident magician indulged in a series of card tricks through the windows, all the cards being the seven of hearts!
It was that sort of day. Nurse, the screens please.

VALE OF LUNE: J.Bryan, A.Richards, A.Garnett, I.Bird, J.Curran, A.Miller, M.Walker, P.Jackson (Capt), D.Schuyler, A.Cowey, D.Halliwell (Rep D.Perry 80), M.Speight, L.Ford (Rep G.Darwen 82), D.Lin, J.Knox.