The Vale XV

1 Robbie Skelton

2 Brett Cooper

3 Glen Summers

4 Shaun Stewart

5 Si Middlehurst

6 Paul Scott

7 Connor Hall

8 Steve Tagg

9 Dave Minnikin

10 Olly Cousins

11 Mark Bower

12 Matt Thackray

13 Rich Dewar (Capt)

14 Dave Penrice

15 Harry Agar

16 Ben Wallace

17 Tom Hopwood

The Vale XVs opening game in this League, at last, was against a Bolton side re-building after issues over the past two or three years. On a pitch fit for a game such as this, prepared by the hard work of all the Clubs’ ground people we were in for a good competitive game of “rugger”. Talking about the pitches the main pitch was indeed prepared to a standard, that could well be the best in the country. A great deal of gratitude to the lads involved.

A degree of energy was expended in the warm up under the supervision of non-other than Liam Hall. He was to provide the encouragement required throughout the game to the extent he could hardly speak, later in the proceedings.

With new faces and jersey numbers not corresponding to the relative positions excuse me if I get some names wrong.

However the back division was in many ways clear, with Dave Minikin taking the scrum half role. Dave of course – a talented player- puts everything into his game whatever position he is asked to play. At fly half Olly Cousins - good to see him back - and lost nothing, must be a mainstay in the side. In the middle the indefatigable Rich Dewar and Matt Thackray. The side would be weakened considerably without these two playing in the middle.

Wings with Mark Bower “wasn’t allowed to show his undoubted pace” and the other wing David Penrice – David of course play anytime anywhere a real Clubman.

Fulback Harry Agar a natural ball player proved a safe pair of hands apart from his natural tendency to link up with any threequarter moves.

The game kicked off under the supervision of Referee Michael Nutting, an Association Referee appointed, as the Society were indeed short of some 10 referees on the day. Michael travelling up from Liverpool.

The Vale side on paper was looking strong and the front row of Robbie Skelton, Brett Cooper and Glen Summers – what a great servant to the side- were going to give the Bolton front row a difficult time. Shaun Stewart and Si Middlehurst locking the scrum with great effect. The back row of Connor Hall – Liam’s son – Steve Tagg and “new Dad Paul Scott” were giving the Bolton eight and half backs a hard time certainly in the loose. All three foraging players and expert in recovering any lost ball.

The Bolton XV were a mixture of considerable youth inter mixed with one or two experienced heads and this experience was exhibited to great effect. Within 10 minutes Bolton crossed for an unconverted try posting a 5 points lead. Within minutes the Vale were penalised for what was deemed by the Referee to be a high tackle and the score moved to 8 points to nil. Referee Michael Nutting was particularly strict on any tackles that might be deemed to be high.

The game then moved into a non-scoring phase with a mistake stricken passage of play this affecting both sides. It was the first game of a welcome new season and inevitably the lack of game play was having some effect.

Vale were securing ample ball from the lineout and producing some sweeping moves along the threequarter line. Dave Minnikin and Olly Cousins were proving to produce an understanding partnership, Dave using all his experience in the game and Ollie producing a number of line breaking breaks to move the side up the field. Centres Rich Dewar and Matt Thackray were locking up the middle of the park apart from setting up space for both wingers Dave Penrice and Mark Bower.

The game moved into the second half and Ben Wallace and Tom Hopwood were introduced into the side by Manager Liam Hall, an input of some energy at this time a shrewd move on Liams part. At this stage Connor was yellow carded and I don’t think anyone quite understood the reason why. Connor was actually enjoying a good game.

The game moved deeply into the second half with the score remaining at 8 points to Nil in Boltons favour. A penalty awarded by the Referee allowed David Minikin to slot a three pointer bringing the Vale in touch of the Bolton score.

Some tremendous forward play with time running out drove the Bolton eight in particular, back to their own line and from the melee Steve Tagg – I think the M.O.M. – dived over to level the scores.

Referee Michael Nutting blew the final whistle. Not the start the Vale side would have wanted but they now move on to Fylde where they will be expecting a severe test. All available hopefully !!!!

F.S.