NOTHING UNDER THE TREE, LEAVES VALE OF LUNE POINTLESS.

VALE OF LUNE  0  ASPATRIA  17

It's the season to be jolly. The Vale's match programme was packed full of Christmas cracker jokes; Who does Sants Claus use if he is feeling poorly? The National Elf Service!! (This one failed to measure up to the high standards set by John Adams.) Unfortunately it was a case of Christmas Day in the workhouse for Santa Morgan and his merry band of little helpers, leaving the Vale like a lonely pup in a Christmas shop; their soft brown eyes failed to melt the hard nosed gentlemen from Aspatria who were intent on keeping their dreams alive of returning to the big time, sooner if not later.

On the first Saturday in December, Broughton Park flew out of their pear tree to drum forty seven points past the Vale. On the second Saturday of December there was no fixture, an opportunity to purchase a gold ring for the turtle dove perhaps? On the third Saturday in December three Cumbrian cockerels did for the Vale, local produce with a touch of Gallic Flair! So the pipers were piping, ladies dancing, lords a leaping and the drummers drumming for the visitors, and walking in a Winter Wonderland, leaving the Vale to contemplate a Blue Christmas.

The Vale's victory at Bower Park in November had warmed thier supporters, but sneaking a present from under the host's tree or kissing the fairy on top, would not be forgotten. This time there was to be no Happy Holiday for the Vale, no toys in the sock, not even a nut or an orange. They did their best to Stop the Cavalry, but it was no use asking Aspatria if they knew it was Christmas, two league points were high up on the must have list, the silver bells would have to wait their turn.

Rudolph and his black shirted mates snorted and pawed the ground in the build up to Aspatria's opening score after twenty six minutes. Stand off Robert Miller set the sleigh bells ringing with a tinsel town solo try which he converted. Early in the second half the all singing and juggling Steven Davidson had his team Walking In The Air with a try after a glitter ball move that lit up both sides of the field. In the final minute winger Stephen Douglas left his coop to swoop on a ball that the Vale had let bounce for his try; Ding Dong Merrily On High!

Sants Claus did not come to town as far as the Vale were concerned. Last Christmas the Vale defeated Aspatria 56-14 but this time round the special ones travelled down the M6 to claim the baubles, leaving the Vale looking for a shoulder to cry on. The little boy that Santa Claus forgot has to wipe away his salty tears ready for January 6th when the Vale travel to Wilmslow for an important league game and perhaps a late Christmas present. Look to the future is a motto that slipped out of Slade's cracker, so a Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year!

Finally, one for the connoisseurs; What do you get if you cross Dracula with Sir Lancelot? A bite in shining armour!!

VALE OF LUNE  A.Miller, J.Bryan, M.Walker (Rep A.Richards 75), A.Garnett, J.Curran, N.Bennetts (Capt), J.Bleasdale, P.Jackson, D.Schuyler, A.Cowey, D.Perry (Rep R.Mudd 75), L.Ford, J.Knox, D.Lin, M.Fowler.

Bannister Bates Man of the Match - Phil Jackson
Match Sponsor - Robt. Briggs & Son (Lancaster) Ltd.
Match Ball Sponsor - Brian Lister.
Vikings Man of the Match (In memory of Peter Atkinson) - Paul McAllister.