FORGET ABOUT RED BULL, TRY H2O

VALE OF LUNE  10  ROCHDALE 25
NORTH 2 WEST

A shower at midday freshened and greened up the playing surface, 'Take the blades up another half an inch Mr Christian!' chilli and braised steak tempted the taste buds, the jovial, friendly Rochdale committee and supporters flooded into the Clubhouse. The highly respected and popular David Leslie, in his role as President of the Manchester and District Rugby Union Referees Society, who has happy memories of when he officiated at Powder House Lane, was beginning his tour of rugby clubs.

Slowly the spectators negotiated the road works on Torrisholme Road; a deck chair was set up on the sunny East Terrace, a bumper match day programme was eagerly thumbed through and the designated casualty station on the veranda was packed with injured players. The scene was set for the opening home North 2 West game of the season.

Simon Barnes, Chief Sportswriter of 'The Times' in his thought provoking, challenging book, 'The Meaning of Sport', published by Short Books, describes in the second chapter a scene he witnessed at a watering hole in Zimbabwe.
A large pool was being used by both female and young elephants, but the bulls preferred to drink from the cistern which supplied the pool. The most coveted position was by the pipe which fed the cistern with its cool, fresh water. But the space was limited to three bull elephants; Barnes was intrigued, in particular when he observed the ritual that took place to determine who should drink from the pipe.
An elephant emerged from the bush and made its way towards the pipe. There was no fighting, no trumpeting, only a look. Combined with the look was a flicking of the ears, elephants apparently spread their ears to look more fearsome, a clear statement of intent. The elephant by the pipe backed away, space was cleared as the others deferred to their rival.

It also happens in sport, thankfully not too often, when teams or individuals defer to their opponents without putting up much of a fight. It happened dramatically at the Stade de Paris when the Webb Ellis holders played South Africa, and on a slightly smaller stage, at Powderhouse Lane last Saturday - how different from New Brighton the previous week when the Vale did not give up their place without a fight.

For eight minutes the Vale frolicked, then Rochdale flicked their ears and the Vale shuffled away. Late in the game the Vale stampeded, Dave Halliwell powered and snorted his way over from close range, unfortunately collecting an injury in his charge; Adam Armstrong converted to add to his fourth minute penalty goal.

Rochdale's winger, Mark Thomas collected a hat trick; his gazelle like running exposing the Vale, number 8 and skipper Mike Bradwell put over two conversions and two penalties and centre Jonathan Mair had an imperious game. The rest of the herd worked diligently and if a little more Teflon had been applied, the visitor's try count might have been embarrassingly higher.

In the Clubhouse after the game, Coach Dave Kidd was not the only one looking pensively into his glass, half full or half empty, it made no difference. In the world of soccer, Morecambe had a rare home defeat, Bury and Port Vale lost again as usual, suddenly the attraction of a darkened room did not seem like a bad option. Nurse, 'bring the screens!'

VALE OF LUNE  A.Miller, J.Moller (Rep A.McCluskie 64), A.Garnett, I.Bird (Capt),  A.Richards, A.Bolsover, P.Jackson, D.Schuyler, A.Cowey (Rep L.Acton 62), D.Perry, D.Halliwell, A.Whittaker (Rep J.Clarkson 60), M.Speight, M.Whittaker.

Match Sponsor:  Crime Prevention Services

Man of the Match - Unsuprisingly no award was given