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Tyldsley Fair Game for Vale



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Published Date: 30 September 2008
HALF of Tyldesley's car park had been set aside for a fun fair an throughout the game the banshee wailing of the customers, the throb of generators and a thumping bass from the loudspeakers provided a noisy backdrop at a St George's Park bathed in late summer sunshine.
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But however longingly the players looked at the whirling, spinning rides, they had not travelled to Tyldesley for an afternoon of fresh air and fun, kiss me quick hats or candy floss, there were other more important rides to be negotiated.
Both the Vale of Lune and Tyldesley had started the season with two victories in the league, so there were unbeaten records to preserve for two clubs who were relegated from North Two West last season.
In the end the Vale preserved their record with a splendid pacy performance that earned deserved plaudits from the opposition and the referee.
At times the Vale played some exhilarating rugby, transferring the ball quicker than the young lady who relieved the Vale supporters of their admission money before they had even left the coach.
With so much possession, five scrums were taken against the head, cynics might say the final scoreline did really reflect their dominance, but this would be harsh on the home side's defence who stuck to their task resolutely.
At times the Vale did over elaborate some of their moves but there was no denying their confidence in having a go at something different, and their spirit of adventure is to be applauded.
But there was to be a downside to the Vale's most composite performance of the season because in the closing minutes a player who makes a huge contribution in both the tight and loose, prop Andrew Sutcliffe tore his Achilles tendon and will be out for the remainder of the season, his talent will be missed.
There was plenty to enthuse about in the Vale's performance. The back row of Danny Lin, Carl Lamb and Marc Aboud operated as finely tuned hit squad; they were quick around the field, strong and destructive at close quarters and almost impossible to haul down.
Back row players tend to hog the limelight because of the very nature of the tasks they have to perform and against Tyldesley the Vale's trio did not disappoint.
Behind a dominant pack the Vale's threequarters always posed a threat. Owen Hughes, in his first game of the season, was busy and industrious in the number nine jersey, Neil Bennetts played with authority at stand off, Neale Foster looked comfortable at full back and on the wings James Hodder, who made light of fielding some testing kicks, and Alistair Richards were eager to exploit their undoubted pace.
The bludgeoning physicality of Ian Bird and Craig Orrick in the centre might not suit the purists, but my word they are an intimidating duo who give their opponents little respite.
Straight from the kick off the Vale were up and running, Foster missed with an early long range penalty attempt, the pack took a scrum against the head and Lin celebrated his fiftieth appearance with a try in the seventh minute. A Vale attack down the right drew in the Tyldesley cover, the ball was moved to the left and just when the move appeared to be log jammed Lin burst away for an unconverted try.
Vale continued to sparkle but in the 22 second minute a rare excursion into Vale territory resulted in Tyldesley being awarded a penalty which stand off Ashley Worsfold kicked.
With Aboud the instigator of many Vale attacks, further scores were in the offering but the Vale had to be content with a Foster penalty goal with eight minutes left of what had been a fast flowing half.
The second half began in much the same vein as the Vale continued to waltz their way around, but not through, Tyldesley's defence. In the 62nd minute a dropped pass allowed the home side to hack the ball down field and suddenly the Vale found themselves outnumbered as the ball skittered into no man's land. Tyldesley's centre, Jon Fisher, who was as cool as the proverbial cucumber, waited for the ball to settle before jogging under the posts for a try converted by Worsfold.
Tyldesley's one point lead only lasted a couple of minutes. Orrick pelted into Tyldesley's twenty two; his Rambo run resulted in a penalty, kicked by Foster.
From this point onwards the Vale tightened their grip on the game, they spun the home side around like a Ferris wheel and with nine minutes remaining the pressure told.
Again with Orrick leading the charge Tyldesley were softened up, Lamb added their misery, the Vale pack applied the Paxo before Phil Jackson threaded his through as though at the wheel of dodgem car from five metres out, Foster added the conversion.
The Vale forwards celebrated this score by taking their fifth scrum against the head. Quick ball was the catalyst for the Vale's last try.
A tired Tyldesley defence chased shadows, Richards took full advantage of the space afforded him with a straight line dash for his try, which Foster converted from wide out in the seventy fourth minute.
Shortly after a disconsolate Sutcliffe was helped from the field the referee blew for full time, the prop's injury being the only cloud on what had been a polished performance from the Vale.
Each week the Vale are improving, their fitness is becoming a major factor, but importantly they are building on the previous games, the nuts and bolts are in place and training sessions can be given over to fine tuning and it is showing.
Of course the season still has a long way to go, but like the coconuts in the shy everyone will be having a go at knocking the Vale off the top.
Against Tyldesley two Vale players chalked up individual milestones. Lock forward Lee Farnworth made his 150th appearance after making his debut in November 1996 at Wilmslow in a 26-5 victory. Playing in the boiler room Lee goes about his business with the minimum of fuss, but, as some opponents have found out to their cost, he is not a player to be messed with. He has scored ten tries and like any try scored by a player in the front five every one is special and to be treasured.
Danny Lin played his 50th game at Tyldesley where he collected his twelfth try. Danny made his debut in February 2006, at home against Bowdon, but failed to get his name on the score sheet in a 85-26 win.
Vale of Lune: N Foster; A Richards, I Bird (Rep A Macluskie 76), C Orrick, J Hodder; N Bennetts (Capt), O Hughes; P Jackson, G Barton, A Sutcliffe; L Farnworth (Rep L Acton 76), D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Aboud (Rep D Halliwell 63).

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  • Last Updated: 02 October 2008 1:31 PM
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  • Location: Morecambe
 
 

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