THE Vale of Lune showed in their friendly win over Blackburn on Saturday that the time since the end of last season has been spent wisely.

The club's rigorous training programme has been adhered to, not quite a 'boot camp', but something similar, as a number of players will testify.

And the manner of the Vale's victory over a Blackburn side who had taken Vale's spot in North Two West after finishing top of North Lancashire/ Cumbria, more than hinted at the potential of the squad.

Overall the game was played at pace by the Vale, and only in the final quarter did they drop down to a canter.

For the coaching staff it was an ideal test for the squad and even though an all-important morale-boosting victory was achieved, they had identified areas that still require some fine tuning before the trip to Heaton Moor.

Physically the Vale look in good shape, players were running onto the ball, angles of attack were subtly varied, with players popping up in unexpected positions much to the consternation of the visitors.

In the three-quarters, positions were changed with kaleidoscopic rapidity. James Hodder switched seamlessly from scrum-half to wing, Neil Bennetts slipped from stand-off to centre, and Ian Bird found himself back on his old haunt on the wing.

In addition to the more experienced players, the selectors took the opportunity to give some of the younger players important game time.

Tom Carter with his three conversions, Adam Macluskie with his well-taken try, Tom Whitty, all poise and elegance, Andy Muir, a superbly-balanced runner as his try illustrated and the hard-working prop Leon Jackson all enhanced their claims.

The only new recruit on show was full-back Neil Hull. He more than filled the criteria of a number 15; positionally sound, strong in the tackle and an accurate kicker.

In their splendid eye-catching new kit, the Vale made all the early running in a game that was divided into four 20-minute quarters.

It took the Vale a while to break through Blackburn's defence but in the 15th minute the first score arrived. The Bird-Craig Orrick combination in the centre created the space for skipper Bennetts to race through for a well-executed try, converted by Hodder.

Ten minutes later, Bird instigated another score with a powerful break to open up the way for a Neale Foster try, the stand-off showing no effects from his holiday flight which had landed in the early hours of the morning.

With the Vale running smoothly, Muir embarked a dazzling solo run, backing himself all the way for a confident try converted by Carter. On the half hour, Blackburn's rolling maul brought them a deserved converted try.

With the Vale ringing the changes, they went further ahead in the 44th minute when the hard-working Lee Acton powered his way over from close range to round off an attack that followed a flat out run from Hodder down the left wing, Carter converted.

This score was quickly followed by Macluskie's try after Danny Lin, not for the first time, had raced away with the ball from close quarters, Carter converted to complete the Vale's scoring. Blackburn's perseverance was rewarded with a late try.

Cynics might say there are harder examinations to come and feet have to remain firmly on the ground, but what was made very clear was that the Vale of Lune are up for the challenges that await.

There will another fixture to measure progress at Widnes on September 6, before the league curtain raiser at Heaton Moor the following week.

Vale of Lune squad: N Hull; J Bryan, I Bird, C Orrick, A Macluskie; N Bennetts (capt), J Hodder; P Jackson, P Watson, A Cowey; L Acton, D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler. A Bolsover, T Carter, T Whitty, N Foster, A Macluskie, A Muir, A Sutcliffe, L Jackson, L Farnworth.