SAME MISTAKE AGAIN; HOPES BLUNTED

VALE OF LUNE  20   SANDBACH  26
NORTH TWO WEST

As part of the new sewerage scheme, huge holes have been excavated at the end of Powder House Lane and its junction with Torrisholme Road, and on a cold, dark, wet December evening a group of Lowry like figures could be picked out gazing into the subterranean depths. Far below, in the inky blackness, flowed not the River Lune because this was the underworld - (no not the underwear factory on Coronation Street, Enty) - of Hades.

Five rivers tumbled and gurgled in the realms of Hades, three of them were in full flow, frothing and churning the Vale of Lune after their defeat against Sandbach. Acheron, the river of woe, Cocytus, the river of wailing and Lethe, the river of forgetfulness, for the Vale there was no escape, their punishment had been decided by Hades, Persephone and Hecate. Only time will tell if the they manage to extricate themselves from this black hole, but they had better be quick, because Balfour Beatty will be capping the labyrinths in a few weeks time.

Sponsors for the first ever meeting between the Vale and Sandbach at senior level were Pye Motors, Ford Main Dealers, a local company established in 1925. Perhaps they could provide an answer to the Vale's dilemma, not only an allterrain vehicle but a sub terrain one!!

So what produced all this gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands because the Vale sped away to the perfect start with Gavin Barton claiming a POPULAR first minute try? Unfortunately the FIESTA ( I can see what's coming -Ed ) did not last for two long because Sandbach rattled in two tries from the double b's, Mark Bird and Allie Burton, the second one being converted by Lee Pickles, all within a five minute MAVERICK spell that subdued the home side, to lead 12-5.

The FOCUS shifted to the Vale and they managed to claw back some ground when Andy Garnett kicked a penalty goal with four minutes remaining. Twelve minutes into the second half with the Vale still in TRANSIT, the Cheshire side's  centre, Dan Massey, set off like Timo Makinen in an ESCORT RS1800, for a slip, sliding solo try, converted by Pickles.
The Vale were in danger of being marooned in the SIERRA without as much as a KA, move over the singing whispering sands. But all was not lost. Referee Chapeland finally had enough of the goings on in the murky world of the forwards and like a perfect PREFECT he penalised Sandbach and awarded the Vale a penalty try, converted by Andy Garnett.

Another FUSION of the Vale forwards ended with Danny Lin collecting an unconverted try to put his side ahead by a single point with twelve minutes remaining. Initially a ZEPHYR of anticipation rippled through the Vale ranks, but as the clock ticked down, they found themselves moving into a familiar GALAXY, with victory or so it seemed, just around the corner.

Unfortunately in the eightieth minute the two points were whisked away from them like a MUSTANG leaping out of the coral and disappearing into the wide prairie. A Vale line out cleared the tailgate, the alert Sandbach forwards, like a PUMA on a diet, snaffled up the loose ball and set off running into Vale's estate. Eating up ground faster than a GT40, Sandbach approached the Vale twenty two. Lock forward, Will Stockdale, received the ball and to the cries of THUNDERBIRD, Go! Go! he raced between the posts at break neck speed for his try, converted by Lee Pickles.

The star signs in the Vale's ZODIAC had been against them and a victory became 'pie in the sky' and a case of if only! For one brief moment the delights of the Isle of CAPRI and the city of GRANADA beckoned, but the flights were full to the MAXUS.

Henry Ford told his customers that they could have their MODEL T painted in any colour they liked as long as it was black. The same could be said of the Vale's latest colouring book, colour the current mood black.
In the words of a well known popular song, the Vale are 'calling for a second chance, give me the reason, give me the choice.' Chances, reasons and choices will be at a premium as the North Two West reaches its half way point and the Vale of Lune attempt to step back from the pit that is about to swallow them up and the concrete poured in on top.

VALE OF LUNE:  A.Miller, J.Bryan, C.Orrick, I.Bird (Capt) (Rep A.Richards 40), J.Hodder, A.Garnett, O.Hughes, P.Jackson, G.Barton, A.Sutcliffe, L.Farnworth (Rep D.Halliwell 54), L.Acton, R.Mudd (Rep D. Perry 45), D.Lin, M.Fowler.

Man of the Match, donated by Mrs Pat Atkinson in memory of husband Peter: Andy Sutcliffe.

Match Sponsors: Pye Motors, in association with LDV