Vale 0-5 Kendal

Lack of competitive rugby did not impinge on the Vale efforts, they stood toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder with Kendal throughout.

Before the first quarter had passed, unsuccessful penalties had been exchanged two from Kendal’s’ full back, Nathan Woof and one from Ben Dorrington.

Vale defended their line courageously with lock Adam Foxcroft and centre Ian Bird helping to lift the siege. Playing on the front foot Sam Wallbank began to drive forward, Oli Cowey was prominent as Kendal were forced back but the Vale found their opponents just as obdurate as they had been.

The half ended with Kendal pressing but again the tackling from the Vale was uncompromising. It was the same at the start of the second half as the Vale defended their line at the Clubhouse End. Jimmy Birchall defused a dangerous situation with an important gather to mark the ball as the waves stated to break in and around Vale’s twenty two.

A tremendous Vale scrummage heaved Kendal backwards, Dorrington raced back to ground the ball dead after a dangerous kick through but slowly the Vale churned their way up field. Dobson angled a kick for his backs to chase to trap Kendal in their twenty two but in their eagerness to manufacture a score Vale lost possession on a couple of occasions in advantageous positions.

In the 70th minute Kendal’s left wing flying machine, Dino Noyo, skipped through tackles in a 40 metre dash, his compatriot from the right wing, Zane Butler, appeared at his elbow and zoomed over for an unconverted try.

The Vale were not deflated by the score because two minutes later Dorrington accelerated through Kendal’s defence, he kicked ahead but in the sprint he was nudged off the ball.

The referee awarded the Vale a penalty, the skipper opted for a scrum but Kendal held firm.

It was all Vale in the closing minutes but they weren’t able to score, although they did claim a losing bonus point.

*Vale seconds registered eight tries in their 49-10 victory at Rochdale to end the year on a positive note after winning three of their last five games. Over at Eccles the fourth defeated the hosts high flying third team 53-0.