VICTORY SETS VIKINGS PURRING

VALE VIKINGS  34  ALTRINCHAM K 10
Miller Homes Division 2

Slowly, slowly, very slowly the Vikings have been getting their season back on track and their recent performances suggest they are up and running. The wheels are back on, but checks are needed to make sure that all the nuts are tight, if not they are likely to fall prey to 'The Anthill Mob' who are certain to be lying in wait around the next corner.
When skipper Paul Bolton assembles his crew he is able to draw on an experienced group who can handle a spanner and know one end of a monkey wrench from the other and are not afraid of getting their overalls dirty; shining examples for the fresh faced apprentices who are hauled into the inspection pit on occasions.

Despite all the perils, the Vikings have managed to negotiate a wacky season after their stuttering start, and they have started 2007 with three wins safely stashed away. Under Paul Bolton's leadership and the prompting of his thigh slapping amigo, 'Dick Dastardly' aka Paul Batty, points have been pillaged.

For the visit of Altrincham Kersal Mr Batty was in fine form, chewing lumps out of the car park when he discovered the fixture had been switched from the main pitch to the Showfield. The Chairman of Ground soothed his savaged breast and he was quickly tilting at other windmills such as rolling replacements, and the state of the medical bag.

Once the game was underway the super sub was advising everyone within earshot; when Paul McAllister's legs flew in every direction when he hit a muddy patch he summed up the winger's predicament perfectly, with the apt phrase, 'He's done a Devon Loch!'. Later in the game he promised Olly Cousins a pint if he put over a conversion, the stand off duly obliged: is this called sports psychology? He made an appearance with less than ten minutes remaining, a model player, such sweet innocence; butter would not melt, and not so much a whiff of yellow.

Gareth Darwen opened the scoring with a try following a period of forward pressure after Andy Armistead had charged across the field, Olly added the conversion. Four minutes later John Cowper wrong footed the defence with a slanting run, the forwards rolled towards the line which allowed Gary Pennington to dive over. Altrincham made maximum use of the strong wind at their backs to score a try to complete the first half scoring.

It took the Vikings a while to harness the power but on the hour a well worked move ended with Paul McAllister scuttling over wide out. Both Andy Hill and Olly used the wind intelligently giving injured Tim 'Master Baker' Vere, plenty of exercise in his role of touch judge. Gareth Darwen broke from the base for his second and Olly collected a pint for his efforts.

Paul McAllister accelerated away for his brace and Paul Brett-Smith, with his exhausts popping scored a deserved try. Just before the final whistle Altrincham registered their second try in what had been a spirited encounter well handled by referee David Bateman.
While a busy County Bar enjoyed rolling Heineken Cup Rugby, the occasional 'Mutley' chuckle could be heard from the Viking's quarter as the Alies tried to remember what had happened in 'Peyton Place' and why they should be in urgent need of buying a Yucca plant!!

VALE VIKINGS: S.Ralston, N.Jones, A.Armistead, J.Cowper (Rep P.Batty 74), P.McAllister, O.Cousins, A.Hill, P.Bolton (Capt), J.Morrow, S.Ecclestone, C.Smith, M.Manning (Rep L.Farnworth 62), G.Darwen, P.Brett-Smith, G.Pennington (Rep D.Fell 67)