WHILE the nation has been gripped by the wonderful singing voice of Susan Boyle and her rendition of 'I dreamed a dream' from 'Les Miserables', there was something chillingly prophetic about the lyrics as the Vale of Lune prepared for their play-off at Widnes for a place in North Two West.

As Christmas approached few would have begrudged the Vale dreaming their dream and 'hope was high' but 'there was a time when it all went wrong' and they were aware that the 'tigers come at night, with their voices soft as thunder, as they tear your hope apart.'

After the Tyldesley defeat the previous week, there were understandable fears that the dreams had been 'made and used and wasted.' So the Vale were presented with one last opportunity to ensure that 'life is but an empty dream.'

The Vale grasped the life line they had been offered with both hands.

The tension that had suffocated their game the previous week had dissipated and in its place a gung ho spirit that said, we are not going down without a fight, let talent have its day in the sun.

And what a memorable contest unfolded. It takes two to tango and in Widnes the Vale had the perfect partner. The home side has a deserved reputation of playing adventurous attacking rugby, these are the disciples of the running game, and so it proved form the opening minutes.

The Vale accepted the challenge and a pulsating, absorbing game of rugby unfolded. A total of 13 tries were scored, seven from the Vale, all converted by the redoubtable Neale Foster.

Only in the closing stages did the Vale enjoy clear water, but at no time did either side attempt to pull the shutters down and try to grind out a victory.

There was a downside to Vale's win because hooker Gavin Barton dislocated his knee cap in the second half, but his pain is bound to be eased with the knowledge that the collective aim, after last season's relegation, to return from whence they came, had been achieved with some panache.

At the final whistle, there were huge grins and gasps of relief from the players, it had been a magnificent team effort from everyone. Andy Garnett was named man of the match, but there were many others who must have been in the frame.

What the respective coaches thought of the game that unfolded before their eyes would be of interest, but in truth they were pretty powerless to influence what was going on, both sets of players decided on the agenda and what followed was a game of rapturous simplicity between two well-matched sides.

The scene was set straight away, as a Vale side without the unavailable Craig Orrick, had first-hand experience of the home side's intention of moving the ball around. Within five minute Widnes had put points on the board. Stand-off Andy McIntosh scored after the Vale had been unable shackle the free-running backs; winger Kevin Leadbetter converted.

Three minutes later, the Vale were level. Lee Farnworth plundered a Widnes line-out ball, Owen Hughes made an electrifying break to send Neil Hull racing away for a try.

Now it was a case of sitting back and let the tale unfold. In the 15th minute the Vale went ahead. Garnett made an explosive run, Acton was hauled down short of the line, the forwards piled in to secure the ball with Garnett scoring the try.

There was no time for reflection because Widnes came rattling back with all the speed of the trains on the nearby line to Liverpool. With the Vale's defence being given the run-around centre Mark Sibson helped himself to a try, converted by Leadbetter.

Foster and Leadbetter exchanged penalties as a prelude to more clip-clopping of hooves. After a period of Vale pressure Widnes swept downfield, and against a retreating defence, winger Gareth Riley went under the posts, Leadbetter converting in the second minute of injury time.

But the game refused to go quietly towards the break. Dave Halliwell set his mighty pistons moving, taking all before him and creating space for Neil Bennetts to slip through for a try with Foster levelling the scores.

Half-time break failed to cool any ardours, romance was still in the air. When Widnes lost possession, Garnett sprinted 60 metres downfield, linking up with Danny Lin before Alistair Richards sealed the move.

There was a stoppage for Barton's injury before Widnes again reminded the Vale that the outcome was still in the balance when Sibson forced his way over for an unconverted try after an hour.

Playing inhibited, but not reckless rugby, the Vale produced a quality try. Bennetts produced one of his well-concealed flip passes to Ian Bird, the centre outpacing the cover for a try in the 66th minute.

Two minutes later, Widnes swept up a loose ball for Rob Critchley to hurtle over for a try, converted by Leadbetter. As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, perhaps some of the Vale's supporters thought it would be wise to play a less expansive game, but it was not to be.

The next try came after yet another searing break from Garnett, Alex Cowey touching down between the posts as the Vale appeared to have at last blunted the Widnes steel.

In the third minute of injury-time, the Vale established a 12-point lead with a try from Halliwell, the big prop crunching his way over, undaunted by the Widnes players who had attached themselves to his back.

But it was the home side who had the last shout. From a quick tap penalty, Kevin Farrow elbowed his way over in the last move of the game that brought the curtain down on the league season with a breathtaking dash of style that literally left everyone gasping for breath; it was a pity that there had to be a loser.

Vale of Lune: N Foster; A Richards, I Bird, N Hull, J Hodder; N Bennetts (capt), O Hughes (J Bleasdale 85); A Cowey, G Barton (P Watson 52), D Halliwell; L Acton (D Perry 82); A Garnett (J Ferguson 84), D Lin, M Fowler.