Vale B 52-5 Bury 3rds

In such a high scoring free flowing encounter it came as no surprise that serial try scorer Paul McAllister featured in the list.

In October Paul celebrated his 60th birthday and the fact that this all round sportsman is turning out week after week, season after season, is a tribute to his fitness and enthusiasm for the game.

A popular club member, Paul was presented with a watch by the president, Norman Hailes, after the game, in recognition of his achievements where his try scoring prowess can be numbered in the many hundreds. Paul has represented the Vale at all levels.

He made his first team debut at Leeds in January 1993 against strong opposition but in a heavy Vale defeat he scored his side’s only try; a typically long range effort that was cheered all the way by the sporting home crowd.

He made a total of five first team appearances, coming off the bench on four occasions but regardless of which team he was selected for he could be guaranteed to be totally committed and almost certain to put further scores into his ‘little black book.’

In a brief speech after the presentation he thanked everyone but when asked about his future he said, slightly tongue in cheek, that he would be considering all options at the end of the season.

Despite many requests he refused to sing his party piece, ‘Delilah’, his performance of Tom Jones’s hit having featured in many clubhouses, on away coaches and at numerous Vale functions.

Other try scorers for the Vale were Ben Murphy, Richard Dewar, Simon Wilson and Jack, with Dan Charles putting over six conversion.

Bury posted a late consolation try but the visitors had no answer to the pace and power of the home side in all departments.

Vale B: T Crookall; A Jack, I Hall, A Downey, P McAllister; D Charles, S Wilson; B Murphy, S Middlehurst, S Ecclestone; C Smith, D Hickling; P Scott (Capt), R Dewar, S Berrisford.