VALE'S splendid winning sequence, which stretched back to the end of November, was halted by Fleetwood's title chasing second team at Melbourne Avenue in one of the three Division Three North games played.
Of course there was a degree of disappoin
tment at the final outcome in the Vale camp, but they produced a battling performance against a team that grew in confidence, despite being reduced to 14 players in the second half.
The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested but Fleetwood went ahead with a try wide out following a move engineered by their lively half-backs, this duo posed a threat throughout. Martin Powell kicked a long range penalty for the Vale from just inside the Fleetwood half as the Vale forwards began to take control.
From a solid platform the ball was moved to the left. Simon Middlehurst took on two Fleetwood defenders, blasting through their tackles on his way to an unconverted try.
The home side levelled the scores but in the closing minutes tempers flared, resulting in a Fleetwood player being shown a red card.
Early in the second half the Vale were awarded a penalty but with their scrum on top and the opposition reduced in numbers they opted for a scrum. Fleetwood were trundled back over their own goal line with Dean Hickling claiming a deserved unconverted try.
The turning point of the game occurred when the Vale were penalised at a scrum on the half way line and from a quickly taken tap Fleetwood's scrum half streaked away for a converted try between the posts.
This score inspired the home side who began to move the ball freely and stretch the Vale on their way to victory.
For the Vale, Dan Rainford played to his potential with a barn storming performance, Gavin Speak was rock solid in a pack that dominated for long periods, while in the threequarters Matt Thackeray was strong in both defence and attack.
Replacement Jonathan Archer came on in the second half after a long lay through injury; he quickly picked up the pace and suffered no adverse reaction.
Vale of Lune B: M Hazelgrave, T Austin, M Thackeray, P Scott, S Middlehurst, D Hughes, S Briggs, G Speak, J Whitty, J Burns, D Hickling, D Rainford, C Brown, D Harrison, M Powell. Reps used: P Morris, G Surtees, J Whyke, J Archer.
