1032 miles: HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE VALE

VALE OF LUNE  7    BROUGHTON PARK  41
NORTH 2 WEST

Back in October 1987 the urbane weather forecaster Michael Fish calmed the nation down after a concerned viewer had rung in to say that a hurricane was on the way. 'Well, don't worry', said a surprised Michael, 'there isn't'.
Famous last words. The same could be said for the Vale's second meeting of the season against Broughton Park, because all who were at Houghend Crescent in December thought there was little chance that the Vale would be swept aside again like the proverbial chaff in the wind.
Well they were  .......

..... although it did take Park a little longer, but the outcome was another forty plus defeat.
Straight after half time the wind picked up metaphorically and the Vale were bowled along like tumbleweed in a Western film. There was some good play from the Vale but mostly it was bad and at times ugly.
A call from the East Terrace to 'fan out and tackle' went largely unheded. There was plenty of fannying around but the tackling that had served the Vale so well against Waterloo disappeared in the spring sunshine.

As the zephyrs began to increase in velocity so the Vale's skirts started to lift, exposing frilly undergarments that were mostly unsuitable for the conditions. What they needed next to their skins were pairs of substantial robust passion killers; strong in the gusset with knicker elastic of hawser like qualities. These would not only repel any advances but signs of hanky panky would be reduced to a minimum.
So it came to pass in the second half that the Vale were ill equipped to fend off the attentions of the visitors. Two tries were rammed home in quick succession by wing forward Peter MacMahon and lock forward Jon Knight, one converted by Ronan O'Brien.

Just before the hour, lock Sam Fuller brushed aside any suitors for his try, again converted by O'Brien. Vale enjoyed a brief rally but it's hard to outspint the opposition with drawers round the ankles.
While the Vale's thoughts drifted towards the next Tupperware party, winger Marlon Miller and Ronan O'Brien collected two injury time gifts, Millers try being converted.

It was all so different in the first half for the Vale, even though they did let John Clifford in for a feather bed try after 18 minutes which O'Brien converted to add to an earlier penalty. But the Vale were not for turning, they came back strongly, Danny Lin as always was in the thick of the action, James Knox supported well and Andy Garnett proved that with pace and a side step plus plenty of determination, Park could be rattled.
Although the Vale pack had to deal with strong experienced opponents, in all areas, they were responsible for their sides only score. A well controlled line out ended with David Schuyler, a player who has improved out of all recognition this season, going over for a try converted by Andy Garnett with a magnificent kick from a difficult angle.

It was quite even for the remainder of the half but there was an ominous charge from John Clifford just before the break, but the Vale could not rely on Mae West's hips to carry them through the coming storm.

VALE OF LUNE:  A.Miller, A.Richards, J.Bryan, A.Garnett, J.Curran (Rep R.Thorn 58), N.Bennetts (Capt), A.Bolsover, P.Jackson, D.Schuyler, D.Halliwell (Rep A.Cowey 58), L.Farnworth (Rep L.Ford 58), D.Perry, J.Knox, D.Lin, M.Fowler.

Bannister Bates Man of the Match - Andy Garnett
Match Sponsors - R.G. Parkins and Partners Ltd
Ball Sponsor - Brian Warrington.