Vale continued their winning sequence with an impressive victory at Burnage despite having to rearrange their starting line up when prop Joe Stevens was late in arriving due a flat car battery, but there was nothing negative about the Vale's fully charged performance. Ryan Needham returned to the action after recovering from back problems, the squad being augmented with two players from Lancaster University, Elliot Burton and Will Field.

Neil Walker opened his side's account with a penalty goal after three minutes and although the fly half was off target with his next attempt his trusty boot converted the three tries scored by James Curran in the 24th, 33rd and 39th minutes, the winger gleefully taking the opportunities that came his way.

The visitors fully deserved their half time lead, their forwards provided a sold platform, Walker orchestrated a lively back division which played with pace and confidence.

Changes were made in personnel for the second forty. Replacement Tom Cvijanovic made an instant impact with an unconverted try in the 45th minute when he quickly and powerfully peeled off the back of a well directed rolling maul, an important asset in the Vale's armoury.

Four minutes later Malcolm Fowler collected a pass just outside Burnage's twenty two to race clear and round off excellent passage of interpassing in the forwards, for an unconverted try.

Burnage's first score in the 55th minute when their number twelve cut through the Vale's defence for a converted try. A second try came in the 63rd minute, some lack lustre Vale defending was punished by the home side's winger.

Hard working scrum half Harry Bartle touched down for a deserved try with five minute remaining which Walker converted, but the final points went to Burnage with an unconverted try as the Vale relaxed.

Team manager Tony Gilmour was pleased with the overall performance, the foundations for victory were well laid by the forwards in the tight and loose, while the threequarters employed a range of attacking options, but he conceded that slight improvements can be made in all areas. However, a win on the road is always a cause for celebration and helps to consolidate a feel good factor. Paul McLaren Dorrington led from the front and set the standard for those around him, Malcolm Fowler was outstanding but Danny Lin's contribution ensured that the team manger had no hesitation in naming him man of the match.

Vale "A": M Field, S Harrison, P Dorrington (Capt); D Rainford, R Needham; M Kitchen, D Lin, M Fowler; H Bartle, N Walker; J Alker, J Antcliffe, E Burton, J Curran; S Coulshed. Replacements used: J Stevens, T Cvijanovic, W Field.

An emphatic home victory by the Vikings, 43-0, at home against Leigh 4ths, took them to the top of the league and completed a winning Saturday for all Vale's sides.