Vale of Lune were defeated in their latest NW1 match on Saturday.

Vale of Lune were beaten 47-10 when they made the journey to Stockport for their latest NW1 match on Saturday, writes BARRY LEES.

After a good start, Vale’s campaign had stuttered recently in the face of opposition more familiar with this level.

The absence of Henry Clifton, Josh Sutcliffe and Jack Macfarlane required careful management but, adaptable as ever, this facilitated a first XV debut for the experienced Craig Procter, while the return of Archie Fowler to the pitch was another welcome sight.

After seven minutes of testing each other’s defensive mettle, the home side broke the impasse with a direct surge up the centre of the pitch.

A try under the posts was converted and the Vale soon stepped up to claim a phase of possession in the Stockport half.

A positioning error 25 metres out gave Jamie Mayall the penalty chance and three points were earned.

However, Vale’s sustained effort was dealt a blow following a morale-sapping interception by the speedy Stockport centre - and also served as a warning regarding the accuracy of their passes.

Sutcliffe’s absence made lineout possession more difficult to secure as Sam Walton’s intended target was easily identified and challenged.

Jordan Dorrington’s electrifying movement with ball in hand woke up the crowd, but Stockport were well drilled in defence and able to contain the threat.

Their forward co-ordination paid off with a second try, while a slip of indiscipline suggested some frustration in the Vale ranks and being marched back 10 metres was the inevitable result.

In recent times, Vale have grown used to being allowed to assert themselves but it was to be denied them on this occasion.

They also saw second row Luke Procter leave the field limping, replaced by Mark Goodman, but Stockport’s fourth try on the stroke of half-time gave them a lead of 26-3.

Billy Swarbrick took up scrum-half duties, with Ben Gould moving to full-back for Vale.

Despite gaining ground through hard graft, they were denied on the tryline several times by the official.

Meanwhile, Stockport kept their possession within the rules and notched up another three tries.

It meant that, in the final minutes, Vale were playing for pride alone.

There was a ‘never-give-up’ attitude, which showed in constant pressing and passing into the Stockport 22.

Eddie Abdelghafar gave the Vale crowd something to cheer with a consolation try near the left corner, which was converted by Mayall.

Although Vale’s effort and output matched Stockport’s, the difference between the two sides lay in the latter’s ability to finish moves with points.

With the NW1 league table becoming two distinct competitions, Vale are near the top of the unfashionable one going into Saturday’s home fixture against Macclesfield RUFC (3pm).

Vale of Lune: Crompton, Bradshaw, Butler, Wallbank, Procter, Ayrton, Walton, Lashley, Gould, Clifton, McGarvey, Mayall, Abdelghafar, Macfarlane, Dorrington. Replacements: Swarbrick, Goodman, Fowler.