Heaton Moor 26
Vale of Lune 38
North Lancashire/Cumbria

A FORMER Vale of Lune chairman and player Andy Perry has just recently completed an epic cycle ride covering 1,708 miles across America in aid of CancerCare.

But despite the time differences, he would be eager to know the outcome of the Vale's opening game. Hopefully he only received the final score and not the half-time one when the Vale were trailing 26-10 having been 26-0 down after 26 minutes.

The first half was an unmitigated disaster. All the positive news that had filtered out of Powder House Lane during the summer appeared like hot air as they fumbled, stumbled and groped their way to half-time.

Half-time could not come soon enough for the coaching staff and one of the directors of rugby, Andy Higgin, vastly experienced and well respected, launched an impassioned explosive assessment of the performance.

The players were left in no doubt what was expected of them, any victory was going to be earned, it was not just a matter of turning up, hard solid graft was going to be required, this was no time for prima donnas.

The Vale's season was in danger of being derailed before it had begun but, with the words of wisdom still buzzing in their ears, they made the ideal start to the second half.

Within four minutes, Neale Foster set off on a dancing run that took him across Heaton Moor's 22 after bullocking runs from Ian Bird and Andrew Sutcliffe had caused mayhem.

Suddenly the clouds began to lift and although the score stood at 26-17 in the home side's favour, things did not look so desperate.

The lively Heaton Moor three-quarters posed a threat but the Vale's forwards began to stifle their opposite numbers and providing the visitors did not become careless, then the gap was eminently bridgeable.

In the 56th minute, the Vale edged to within a couple of points as the drills they had practised on the training ground began to pay dividends.

The ball was moved swiftly from a line-out, quick, safe hands gave the Vale the advantage of time and space for Foster to collect a second try – twisting an ankle in the process – which James Hodder converted.

On the hour, Dave Halliwell, who came in when Phil Jackson withdrew, used all his power to score from close range, a fully-deserved try for the prop. Foster converted to put the Vale ahead.

The second half certainly belonged to the Vale and it was hard to reconcile that this was the same outfit that had underperformed in the first half.

Neil Hull showed a clean pair of heels when he raced downfield, Vale varied the angles against a team that was beginning to drop off the pace.

It was fitting that the Vale's forwards should provide the final score and cement victory, because their strength and technique help to erode Heaton Moor's ambition.

Malcolm Fowler and Dan Perry both went close and when the home side conceded a penalty close to their line, the Vale opted for a scrum with eight minutes of proper time remaining.

Heaton Moor were shunted over their line, Fowler kept his eyes on the ball to score with Foster adding extras.

There was jubilation at the final whistle but it might have been so different for the Vale.

Heaton Moor had been crowned champions of North Lancashire One with an unbeaten record and they quickly had their supporters cheering when after two minutes winger Ivan Smetana split the Vale's defence apart on his way to a solo try.

Perry was yellow-carded in the 15th minute for over vigorous use of the boot and in his absence Moor increased their lead with another try from Smetana, converted by Martin Shelley, before a darting run from scrum-half Filipe Silva saw him go over unopposed from a scrum, Shelley converting.

Even when the Vale were back to full strength, Smetana's pace again proved too much for them as he scored another try which Shelley converted.

With 10 minutes to half-time, the Vale salvaged something as man of the match Andrew Sutcliffe, charged over from a line-out, Foster converting.

James Bryan completed a slick handling movement with an unconverted try two minutes later before the team trooped off to face the wrath of Mr Higgin, no longer "Mr Nice Guy."

Vale of Lune: N Hull; J Bryan, I Bird, C Orrick, A Richards; N Foster (T Carter 73), J Hodder; D Halliwell, G Barton (M Sutcliffe 82), A Sutcliffe; L Farnworth (capt), D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler (M Whittaker 82).