N F Simpson once observed that "The best that can be hoped for from the ending is that sooner or later it will arrive."

For the Vale, the official ending of the season is April 19, but there is a possibility that it might arrive before their last game depending on the outcome of not only their four remaining fixtures but those of rivals for the drop, Northwich.

Vale again bobbed out of the relegation zone after their victory against Winnington Park, not only was it their fifth win but their highest points total of the season so far. Northwich lost at Broughton Park, 19-14, but still only one point separates the two clubs.

On Saturday, both the Vale and Northwich face demanding trips. The Vale visit Rochdale who have only lost three times at Moorgate Avenue, while Northwich are at second-placed Stockport, who have only had their colours lowered once at home.

Any victory for the Vale and Northwich will be hard earned, which means the fixtures on March 29 could well be significant. The Vale host New Brighton with Northwich nipping over the hedge to take on neighbours Winnington Park.

There is possibility that the matters will not be resolved till the "mad March days" have disappeared and April, described by T S Elliot in 'The Waste Land', as "the cruellest month," has taken its toll of emotions.

But last Saturday, for the Vale and Winnington Park, the only item on the agenda was the meeting at Powder House Lane. Defeat would make the task of staving off relegation, for both clubs, that much more difficult. As a result of their win, the Vale live to fight another day, while Winnington Park, in their centenary season, appear to have slipped out of the equation.

Chairman of Rugby, Mark Sutcliffe, described the 22-17 defeat at Burrows Hill in September as one of the most disappointing of the season but his charges made amends with a seven-try win. Four of the tries were converted by full-back Adam Armstrong who is an immensely talented player and provides a sense of security in addition to possessing a flair for opening up the game.

Lee Farnworth was named Man of the Match, but there were other contenders including Armstrong, James Hodder and the ubiquitous Danny Lin.

Vale raced away to the perfect start. The first scrum was taken against the head, Armstrong crashed a penalty against an upright and a Park defender knocked the rebound on. From the resultant scrum Hodder darted through for a try which Armstrong converted after three minutes of pulsating rugby.

The scrum-half continued to torment the visitors, even when he was moved onto the wing later in the half after changes were made in the three-quarters following an injury to Neale Foster. Owen Hughes came on in the scrum-half and his pace and determination ruffled Park's feathers on numerous occasions to become a pesky irritant.

After the initial pounding, the Vale had to wait until the 25th minute before increasing their score. A rare excursion into Vale territory by Park broke down and from long range the Vale swept downfield. Craig Orrick, Armstrong and the spiky Alistair Richards all made telling contributions in the build-up to Neil Bennetts' first try of his truncated season, Armstrong added the conversion.

Foster's departure in the 27th minute did affect the Vale's attacking options but they continued to move the ball with confidence and with three minutes remaining, extended their lead.

Hodder, now on the left wing, bravely went for the line, hurtling his lightweight frame at the opposition seemingly without fear. The ball was recycled, Orrick cut back inside with a bone-jarring surge before slipping a pass to Armstrong who was in the ideal position to score.

Four minutes into the second half, the Vale increased their lead with a forward-inspired score. From a line-out, the pack rolled Park back for Lin to gather in the first of his two tries which Armstrong converted with little fuss from a difficult angle.

The home side's hopes of keeping a clean sheet disappeared in the 49th minute when Park took a leaf out of the Vale's book by shunting them back and setting up a try for number eight, Ben Richardson.

Although Park made a fuss about their score – much chest beating, high fives and oaths of encouragement – they were rocked by another Vale score straight from the restart as twinkle-toed Bennetts waltzed his merry way through Park's defence to set up a try for Orrick, which Armstrong converted.

While Dan Perry was in the sinbin, Park added to their total in the 58th minute when hard-working flanker Ryan McKibben forced his way over for a try converted by Nathan Archer.

A feature of the Vale's game in the second half when they had the wind behind them was the astute kicking of Bennetts over the heads of the defenders, towards Hodder's beat.

One such kick had Park surprised by Hodder's presence and they conceded a scrum. Vale's rock-solid platform allowed Lin to scuttle down the blind-side for an unconverted try with 15 minutes remaining.

McKibben picked up a second try for Park before Hodder added a 'Billy Whiz' try – his eighth of the season – after another probing kick from Bennetts.

In the closing minutes, the Vale worked hard to reach the magical half century but the game became rather fragmented, Winnington eager to avoid a fourth 50-plus defeat.

The caravan now moves onto Rochdale for another instalment of what is a real cliffhanger.

Vale of Lune: A Armstrong; A Richards, N Bennetts, C Orrick, J Bryan; N Foster (O Hughes 27), J Hodder; P Jackson, G Barton, D Halliwell (G Speak 70); L Farnworth, D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler (capt, D Schuyler 68).

Match sponsors: Border Asset Management Ltd. Matchball sponsor: Brain Lister. Bannister Bates man of the match: Lee Farnworth.