A well-worn musical hall joke goes as follows, and explains some of the goings on in the Vale of Lune's nerve-shredding North Two West fixture against their bargain basement opponents, Northwich. "Dr, Dr, some days I feel like a tepee, and other days I feel like a wigwam." "I think you're two tents," replied the Doctor.

There was tension in the air throughout the game because this was a clash that neither side could afford to lose.

Northwich appeared to be edging towards a 7-3 victory as the game moved into the closing stages and there were few indicators that the Vale were not only going to alter the score, but that they would do it in such dramatic style.

However, there were some clues emerging. An important consideration was the fact that the scrums were uncontested after both Vale props, Andrew Sutcliffe and Dave Halliwell, had gone off injured. Uncontested scrums suited the Vale; they had been given a torrid time by the Northwich eight.

Another factor was the gradual loss of composure from the Cheshire side as the Vale turned the screw. Northwich conceded penalties like throwing chaff into the wind; the question was how the Vale would deal with these gifts.

Initially the Vale went down the traditional route of hammering the ball into touch for a five-metre line-out. Unfortunately the calls were intercepted, Dan Perry was carrying an injury thus reducing his impact and Northwich managed to scramble the ball clear.

Catch and drive was bringing little reward and time was becoming critical; after a certain point in time, only a try would suffice.
The build-up for Vale's score began in the 76th minute when replacement Greg Smith went on a dancing run that finally gave the Vale a foothold in Northwich's 22.

The Vale probed and pushed but somehow their opponents scrambled the ball away, but never far enough away to allow them to breathe easily.

Foster's penalty was short after Perry had been upended at a line out, and in the 80th minute, Neil Bennetts, who had played with authority throughout at full-back, angled a beautiful kick close to Northwich's five-metre line.

The Vale nicked the ball, Northwich were penalised. This time the Vale gave a hint of things to come, when urged on by the touchline tactical army, they went for a scrum as Northwich began to look uncomfortable.
A Northwich player was sent to the sinbin and again the Vale chose to scrum from the penalty.

This time – in the 85th minute – it worked.

The Vale remained calm, despite the enormity of the situation. Centre Craig Orrick was lurking with intent, ominously assessing the situation. He filtered into a blindside move and then suddenly exploded with such ferocity that two Northwich players were knocked off their feet.

Building up a head of steam, his pumping legs a blur and giving a passable impression of a wrecking ball in all its destructive glory, he careered towards the line for an eye-watering victory try.

Foster carefully prepared his conversion, lining up the kicking tee, brushing away the mud, straightening his hair, eating up the seconds, aware referee Nigel Boyd would blow for time once the kick had been taken.

The final whistle brought an end to a contest which had seen the Vale produce a "Get out of Jail" card like a rabbit out of a hat, as they moved out of the bottom three for the first time this season.

'Never in doubt' twittered the relieved Vale supporters as they departed the sun-drenched terraces and trooped into the clubhouse. Such bravado must be taken with more than a pinch of salt, try a shovel full!

The Vale had opened the game strongly; Sutcliffe broke through a number of tackles to earn his side a penalty which Foster kicked after seven minutes, his first points for the club. Sutcliffe departed the action in the 17th minute, his eye rapidly closing, forcing the Vale to rearrange the pack. Lee Farnworth moved into the front row, with Matthew Speight coming on.

From this point on, the Vale began to struggle as their scrum started to creak and Northwich sensed their discomfort.

Despite their problems, the Vale defended well and as always Danny Lin was in the thick of the action, tackling, tidying up and darting away with the ball to provide relief.

Towards the end of an unconvincing Vale half, the Vale put together some worthwhile attacks. Robert Mudd bravely secured the ball to set the three-quarters moving. Andrew Garnett linked with Bennetts who in turn set James Bryan off running. The winger intelligently kicked for the corner but was unable to beat the cover.

Bryan sideswiped his way crossfield to ensure the Vale ended the half on a high note.

But all the Vale's hopes disappeared at the beginning of the second half when the visitor's skipper and centre, Steve Campbell, burst through for a try between the uprights, converted by Scott Hayes.

Northwich established a grip on the game, but for all their possession they were unable to breach the Vale's line, partly because the Vale tenaciously covered and tackled, while Northwich were guilty of squandering a number of chances.

After the 55th minute and Halliwell's departure, a new script and subsequent storyline unfolded. Gradually the Vale nudged their way back into the game, as for the second time, an Orrick try brought the Vale victory, his previous one had been at Tyldesley.

Vale of Lune: N Bennetts; J Bryan, A Garnett, C Orrick, A Richards (G Smith 67); N Foster, J Hodder; D Halliwell (D Schuyler 55), G Barton, A Sutcliffe (M Speight 17); L Farnworth, D Perry; R Mudd, D Lin, M Fowler (capt).

Match Sponsor: Lancaster Round Table.