WHEN the Vale of Lune trooped off the pitch at Bradwall Road in April 2008 they were leaden-eyed and full of despair after being defeated by Sandbach, 26-15, in a North Two West fixture that confirmed their relegation.
Almost two years on, the des
pair that had then cloaked everyone at the final whistle, was turned into delight as the Vale wiped out the memories of their last visit to Sandbach with a robust performance that moved them further away from the tropic of relegation line.
Injuries and unavailability forced the Vale to make changes to their line up after their defeat the previous week.
Andrew Sutcliffe, who was making the starting line up for the first time since September 2008 when he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, Andy Powers and James Hesketh were immense, not only in the tight but also the loose.
A solid platform was also helped by the contribution of skipper Lee Acton and fellow lock, Dan Perry, who literally played himself out of his shorts, when the seams gave way due to his efforts late in the game.
An aggressive fired up back row of Sam Wallbank, Andy Garnett and the dynamic Danny Lin never allowed to the home side to settle, effectively neutralising their talented fly half, Will Cargill.
Foil
The threequarters looked and played with more conviction than against Lymm. Adam Macluskie, whose sabre rattling disturbed Sandbach was the perfect foil to the epee wielding Fergus Owens, but not for the first time since joining the club Darren Wilson's influence was everywhere.
The number nine, who is a cross between d'Artagnan and a pit bull terrier, went onto collect yet another man of the match award.
Although the home side had the slope in their favour it was the Vale who made all the early running with Wallbank and Wilson embarking on some dangerous runs that sucked in the cover.
Prolonged pressure in Sandbach's twenty two failed to produce the expected early score, but in the twenty third minute the Vale's enterprise was rewarded.
Owens picked up loose ball at ankle height, thirty metres out, before setting off on a scything, well balanced run for a try converted by Neale Foster.
A competitive game suddenly erupted as players from both sides piled in, but referee Andy Dawson kept his cards close to his chest and when the handbags had been stowed away, the game resumed.
In the second minute of injury time the Vale doubled their score with a well worked try.
Wilson was the instigator with a sniping, low to the ground run, Lin came up to his elbow before finding James Hodder with a well timed pass, Hodder's try was converted by Foster.
Sandbach came out strongly for the second half as the Vale stuttered to gather themselves and for the first time in the game lost some of their fluency.
Sensing the Vale's loss of appetite Sandbach came back into the frame with a try in the sixty third minute.
Captain Willy Stockdale was hustled over from a five metre line out, Cargill converted from a difficult angle.
Foster dashed the home side's hopes almost immediately when he confidently chipped over a penalty goal.
This score was just the shot in the arm the Vale needed, normal service was resumed, Sandbach were given few chances to breach the game line, but for the remainder of the game they were on the back foot and scrambling to clear their lines.
The coupe de grace was administered in the fourth minute of injury time by sorcerer Wilson.
But before the number nine scored Macluskie had halted an adventurous move on Sandbach's 22 with a shuddering tackle on his opposite number.
From the resultant scrum Wilson slashed through the defence with a slanting run for his try which Foster converted.
A popular exponent of the music of Strauss is André Rieu, and although the Vale appeared to have waltzed themselves out of danger there is still quite a way to go before they can begin to clap enthusiastically to the strains of the Radetzky March, but they are getting there.
Vale of Lune: M Stevens; J Hodder, F Owens, A Macluskie, T Finau (A Richards 47); N Foster, D Wilson; J Hesketh, A Powers, A Sutcliffe; L Acton (Capt), D Perry; A Garnett, D Lin, S Wallbank (F Spavin 51).
RUGBY ROUND UP
Blackburn, who won their first game last week, were overwhelmed at Lymm, suffering their heaviest defeat of the season, 74-0.
Aspatria, who encountered mechanical difficulties on their way to New Brighton, lost, 25-15, Leigh and Burnage ended all square at
16-16. Tyldesley lost at home to Wilmslow, 21-17.
At the other end of the table Northwich dropped from second to fourth place following their 17-14 defeat at Altrincham Kersal. Liverpool St Helens moved into second place after an 11-3 home win against Broughton Park.
