A party piece for a former Vale of Lune president, chairman, and player is to sing to he tune of the Toreador Song, one of rugby's anthems, 'Stand up and Fight'.

The chorus is pretty relevant to the Vale's current predicament as they struggle to avoid being relegated, and contains the following lyrics.
"Stan' up an' fight until you here the bell, Stan' toe to toe, trade blow fer blow, Keep punchin' till you make yer punches tell, So that crowd watcher know! Until you hear that bell, that final bell,Stan' up an' fight like hell."

Since the turn of the year the Vale have come out fighting, heaving themselves off the ropes, winning six of the eight rounds so far.

But they are going into the final 80 minutes still behind on points.

They could end the season with another win at Sandbach but if their rivals, Northwich, should claim a victory at Leigh then it will be the Cheshire side's collective hands that will be raised in victory.

Certainly the Vale have refused to throw in the towel, but the poundings and knock downs they suffered earlier in the season could well be their undoing.

Their stylish rugby of late, although the victory against Lymm was a no-nonsense slog, has brought them success, with their performance against New Brighton being rated as one of the best for a number of seasons.

Lymm, despite inconsistent form since they beat the Vale in November, proved to be obdurate opponents and even though they were ready to party the night away to celebrate their last away game, they were in no mood to be the fall guy. They led throughout and only succumbed to the Vale with nine minutes left.

The Vale must take credit for digging in and bouncing back after trailing 14-8 at half-time and slipping to a 19-13 deficit early in the second half. For long periods, the Vale appeared off the pace, perhaps it was the week's break but they struggled to find any real momentum.

Players tended to dip in and out of the game but a number were consistency personified.

Wing forwards Danny Lin and Carl Lamb were outstanding and their graft and commitment was paralleled by Neil Bennetts' contribution. Not only did the centre pull off a number of crucial tackles but his drive and enthusiasm lifted those around him.

Vale's winning margin might have been greater but in-form goal-kicker, Adam Armstrong, suffered a leg injury. He did kick a penalty but it was obvious that he was unable to give the ball its usual impetus and his accuracy began to suffer. Neale Foster took over but the subsequent attempts were at the limit of the his range.

Straight from the kick-off the Vale went on the offensive. James Hodder skipped down the touchline, the pack heaved Lymm back and Armstrong indulged in one of his wispy runs. However, Lymm countered and in the 25th minute the Vale were left reeling.

Lymm moved the ball from deep, play was moved crossfield, mixed into the passes were deft little flicks in a move that gained in momentum, finishing as full-back David Williamson touched down and added the conversion.

Five minutes later, Lymm had back-row Andy Williamson sin binned and the Vale took immediate advantage. A series of forward drives had Lymm retreating, penalties were conceded and from a five-metre line-out Lin surged over for an unconverted try in the 33rd minute.

Lack of numbers did not inhibit Lymm and three minutes after the Vale score, they went on the rampage. With the Vale on the back foot, the ball was swiftly moved around to allow winger Richard Butler to accelerate through for a try, again converted by Williamson.

In the closing minutes of the half, Lymm brought on some extra weight in the front row but the penalty count began to rise against them. Eventually one was conceded within range, which Armstrong kicked in the sixth minute of injury-time.

Vale reduced Lymm's lead to a single point in the opening minute of the first half. Foster thumped a huge kick downfield; Williamson stumbled and was surrounded. Craig Orrick and Bennetts combined to create space for Hodder to sprint away for an unconverted try.

Once more the Vale found it difficult to consolidate their position and in the 47th minute, they were victims of another exuberant Lymm counter-attack which resulted in lock Darius Miskeys scoring an unconverted try.

Dave Halliwell came on and made an immediate impact with one of his unsubtle, but effective charges, a taster of what was to come in the 54th minute.

From a five-metre scrum, Malcolm Fowler picked up at the base and headed for the line, the forwards ushered him closer, but when Big Dave arrived on the scene only the late great Charlton Heston could have chartered a way through the massed ranks that confronted him. Halliwell duly thrashed his way over for his try and then rolled onto his back to gulp in copious amounts of air to recharge the mighty engine.

From this point on, the Vale played with increasing authority, all aspects of their game improved as Lymm struggled to impose themselves as their half backs struggled to break free.

Shortly after Foster had swept a long-range penalty across the face of the posts, the Vale took the lead.

Lin retrieved the ball when all seemed lost, Bennetts set off on a shoulder-dipping run before passing to Orrick. The centre had plenty of work to do, there were defenders in front of him but like his match-winning try against Northwich he backed himself and tore powerfully through the opposition for his try with nine minutes left.

Vale could not afford to relax as Lymm reminded them in stoppage time when first Bennetts and then Fowler were forced to make vital tackles on Williamson when the number 15 threatened.

For the Vale the 'Ride of the Valkyries' continues on Saturday when they visit Bradwell Road, Sandbach for the first time. This will the final round of what has been an absorbing, nerve-wracking fight against relegation. Ding! Ding! Seconds out!

Vale of Lune: A Armstrong; A Richards, N Bennetts, C Orrick, J Hodder; N Foster, O Hughes; P Jackson (D Halliwell 58), G Barton, A Sutcliffe; L Farnworth, D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler (capt).

Match sponsors: Balfour Beatty.

Matchball sponsor: Brian Lister.