THAT doyen of the petrol heads, Jeremy Clarkson, has little time for the Cheshire Set who reside in the Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Prestbury corridor, either their life style or the vehicles they drive.

A quick badge count on the car park at Pownall Park, the home of Wilmslow RUFC, revealed a collection of 'beamers', 4x4s, sensible family saloons, the odd sporty number, a few bangers but despite there being an Aston Martin dealership on nearby Water Lane, there was not one of this famous marque to be seen, but fittingly a Lexus was spotted, this prestigious car maker being one of the club's sponsors.

No sign however of Jeremy, who appears not to like a Lexus.

There are many apocryphal tales about the Rolls Royce's that transported players and Wilmslow members around the country in the club's heyday.

Times have changed, both under the bonnet and outside, as technology has advanced, but build quality, precise engineering, style, reliability still remain high priorities for any potential buyer, regardless of income.

Cutting one's cloth according to prevailing circumstances has affected both the Vale of Lune and Wilmslow since the introduction of leagues and both have struggled to regain their former glory as standard bearers of Lancashire and Cheshire rugby.

Both have enjoyed their days in the sun, but the memories have become ever distant, and the reality for the Vale and Wilmslow confronts them every time they look at the North One West league table.

Undoubtedly they are in the wrong half of the league, but as a result of their sixth win of the season Wilmslow have trundled a little further away from relegation swamplands, but Vale's defeat has not altered their position dramatically.

They still hover two points above the drop zone, seemingly unable to drag themselves clear, even in favourable conditions.

Despite the recent rains the pitch at Pownall Park was not unduly boggy, in racing parlance, 'soft and heavy in parts', and while the temperature was down slightly compared with recent weeks, it was dry and a half moon could be picked out in a clear sky.

In addition the Wilmslow side did not appear to pose any physical threat, unlike some of the sides the Vale have encountered recently.

So when the two sides lined up at kick-off all the omens pointed to a tight contest between two clubs only separated by a couple of points.

What eventually unfolded was a relatively one sided contest which resulted in the Vale failing to score any points in a league game since they were last beaten at home by Aspatria in December 17-0.

To add to the misery this was their first defeat at the hands of Wilmslow since November 1994 when they lost at Powderhouse Lane, 36-13 in a club fixture.

The only crumb of solace on an afternoon of stomach churning disappointment and frustration was the news that all the clubs below the Vale lost, so the status quo remains.

The net result is that the three games before the Christmas and New Year break now assume more importance. Sandwiched between two home games against Altrincham Kersal and Broughton Park respectively is an away game at bottom of the table Blackburn on December 12.

Will there be any presents for the Vale, or will they be the one 'that Santa forgot'?

Against Wilmslow the Vale made a bright start, but gradually they struggled to impose any pattern to their game.

They appeared to shrink into their shells, hesitancy and tentativeness edged into their game, an air of desperation surrounded their play.

Then some players began to go it alone in an effort to inject some passion into the game, but in the confusion ran out of support and were isolated, sometimes being turned over or giving away a penalty.

Wilmslow quickly spotted what was happening, and after a slightly nervous opening grew in confidence and had the measure of the Vale in all departments.

Fergus Owens was off target with an early penalty attempt for the Vale before Wilmslow swept downfield trap the Vale close to their goal line.

Under pressure the Vale conceded a penalty kicked by stand-off, Bob MacCallum, in the 10th minute.

From a tap penalty Sam Wallbank raced into the heart of the Wilmslow defence who stepped offside.

This time Adam Birchall was given the responsibility for a pot at goal but he was off target.

From this point the game slowly slipped away from the Vale as Wilmslow began to grow in stature and the visitors started to fray at the edges.

Two penalty goals from MacCallum completed the first half scoring.

After the break the lights were switched on but all they did was to illuminate a horrible passage of rugby as far as the Vale supporters were concerned.

Winger Jordan Kennedy climbed all over Alistair Richards's despairing tackle, exploding like an angry rattlesnake for a try converted by MacCallum from wide out in the 43rd minute.

A long range penalty from the prancing MacCallum thumped against the crossbar, the Vale brought on all their replacements, but it made little difference to an engine that was chugging and badly misfiring.

In contrast Wilmslow's more finely tuned motor went smoothly through the gears in the 61st minute when full-back James Colville cruised over without a hint of turbo lag for an unconverted try.

MacCallum kicked a penalty goal shortly after and although the Vale made a late rally they were unable to take the gloss of deserved Wilmslow victory.

Vale of Lune: A Birchall, A Richards (N Bennetts 48), M Kellett, I Bird, J Hodder, F Owens, O Hughes, J Hesketh, D Schuyler, L Jackson (J Ferguson 48), L Acton (capt), L Ford, A Garnett (F Spavin 48), D Lin, S Wallbank.

RUGBY ROUND UP

LYMM maintained their position at the top of North One West with a 15-12 victory at Burnage; the previous week Burnage drew 20-20 in a rearranged fixture at Liverpool St Helens. Northwich won away at Blackburn 18-0, Broughton Park were home winners against New Brighton, 21-8.

Tyldesley were unable to kick on after their home win against the Vale of Lune, going down 34-10 at Altrincham Kersal.

Aspatria, still without a win since the end of September lost at home to Sandbach, 29-22.

Vale's captain, Lee Acton was unable to celebrate his half century of appearances, with a victory at Wilmslow.

Lee made his Vale debut at Fleetwood in August 2007 in a pre-season warm up game.