Vale 41-31 Penrith

Vale of Lune kicked off their new season with a 41-31 home win over Penrith on Saturday.
Vale of Lune's Ben Dorrington.Vale of Lune's Ben Dorrington.
Vale of Lune's Ben Dorrington.

Vale had to wait until the 12th minute to put points on the board when experienced winger Ian Bird plunged over for a try, converted by Ben Dorrington.

In the 20th minute Fergus Owens produced a sublime dummy to set up Sam Wallbank’s try which was converted by Dorrington.

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Vale had started to let their hearts rule their heads as a rare lack of concentration allowed winger Steven Cherry to intercept a pass and race 80 metres for a solo try converted by centre Mike Fearon in the 25th minute.

As the game moved into injury time Dorrington kicked a penalty goal to reward a late surge from the home side.

Within the opening minute of the second half Dorrington charged downfield to split Penrith’s defence, Jack Ayrton cut back inside for a twinkling try converted by Dorrington.

Fearon missed with a penalty kick in the 44th minute before Owens somersaulted over the line two minutes later to complete a crisp passing movement in style, which brought up the try bonus point, Dorrington again 
obliging with the conversion.

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Cherry then scored another try for the visitors, Fearon converted impressively in the 59th minute.

A penalty goal from in front was kicked by Fearon followed in the 54th minute but on the hour mark Dan Baines went over for an unconverted try after receiving a neat flicked pass from Ollie Dobson.

In the 67th minute the Vale were caught flat footed and were punished when Fearon shot rather too easily between the posts for a try which he converted.

The Vale appeared to be struggling in the sets and losing their shape but in the 75th minute they put the result beyond doubt with a classy try.

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In a sweeping attack the ball was moved crossfield at pace and although cramped for space Dobson wriggled his way over for an unconverted try.

Penrith banked their try bonus point in the final minute when Jamie McNaughton touched down, Fearon converted to end of what had been an entertaining contest, well referred and played in the right spirit.