SIXTY MINUTES BACK; AFTER A DAY ON THE MOVE

BEDFORD ATHLETIC  48   VALE OF LUNE  5
EDF ENERGY TROPHY :  ROUND ONE

If you go out in Putnoe Woods today,
You're sure of a big surprise,
If you go out in the woods today,
You'd better go in disguise.

If you go out in Putnoe Woods today,
You'd better not go alone,
It's lovely out in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home.

In truth there was no great surprise at the outcome of the visit to Bedford Athletic, but most certainly the Vale of Lune squad that travelled to Wentworth Road did not don any disguises. They not only pulled on the 'Cherry and White' with pride, but collectively all eighteen walked tall and if anyone did wander off there was always a colleague close at hand. In the Vale's case, to stay at home was not on the agenda, a no show would mean that they would be excluded from RFU Cup competitions for two years.

It was far from a picnic but it was a treat to see how the players responded. Young, and there were plenty of them in the squad, plus the older and more experienced, combined well. Their ability to gaily dance about was restricted, but they did manage to catch the home side unawares on a few occasions.

On the last day of British Summer Time, the long journey flashed by, thanks to the British Lions in South Africa DVD, and after a stop for coffee on the Midlands Expressway, Gerald Bird's pin point navigational skills brought the coach to a standstill in the drive leading into Bedford Athletic's green and pleasant ground.

Chris Harte, in his informative book, 'English Rugby Clubs' described Bedford Athletic as 'a place where warmth and camaraderie were the order of the day' How true. He also mentioned that 'the green vegetables were not only plentiful but fresh' Yes! Yes! But what about the cellar full of Merlot, bottles of which appeared at regular intervals during the pre match lunch; so much so that the diners and imbibers only just managed to stagger outside in time for the kick off.

Bedford led 22-0 at half time and although they had tried very hard, they had not pulled off the tablecloth, which the Vale grimly held on to. After twenty five minutes Robert Mudd was helped off with a jaw injury that required hospital treatment, but like the other young blades on show, he had created a favourable impression. James Bryan pulled off a try saving tackle; Matthew Speight led a charge from a line out, Mark Walker enthusiastically directed operations as the Vale refused to let the Midlands One side have it all their own way.

The second half began with Ian Bird making a big hit, and Andy Miller angling a kick for the ever willing James Curran to chase. Athletic advanced their total to thirty six points before the Vale scored with eight minutes remaining. James Bryan skip jacked his way through the opposition, a series of quick passes created space for Andy Miller to sprint over for a try.
In the closing stages Athletic had their eyes firmly fixed on the half century, but a full bloodied tackle from Andy Garnett in the final minute ensured that particular target was not achieved. Prior to the final whistle the Vale juggled with their depleted replacements bench.

'Gilly' on the way down, enquired if the Vale were providing the ball boys when he spotted Ashley Bolsover, but the seventeen year old was on the team sheet, and when he came on with five minutes left he became one of the youngest players to play in the first team. He was followed quickly by Paul Warburton, a veteran of four first team games in Prague, having earlier discovered that at the service station the charge for using the cash machine was £1.85.

At six o'clock driver Steve, from the Travellers
Took them home to bed
Because they were tired little teddy bears

(Well they were until the lights of Lancaster roused them from their slumbers and they were off for lots of wonderful things to eat and wonderful games to play!!)

VALE OF LUNE: J.Bryan (Rep A.Bolsover 75), J.Payne, A.Garnett, I.Bird, J.Curran, A.Miller, M.Walker (Rep P.Warburton 76), P.Jackson (Capt), D.Schuyler, A.Cowey, M.Speight, D.Perry, L.Jackson, J.Knox, R.Mudd (Rep M.Sutcliffe 25)

Travelling Alies Man of the Match:  ALL THE SQUAD! - A credit to the Club