Ice-cool Briggs wins it for Vale of Lune with last kick of game

MATCH REPORT: Vale of Lune 32 Sandbach 29

What . . . a. . . day!

We had the first Vale of Lune 1st XV match at home for six weeks, the last, weakened throes of winter temperatures, the return of the 3pm kick off and the largest home crowd of the season. A

dd to that the memory of the thumping that the Vale suffered in the away fixture in the autumn, and the ingredients of a terrific game of rugby were all present and ready.

In an otherwise unchanged side, Vale's talisman No. 8 Sam Wallbank returned from injury, whilst brother Joe rejoined Harry Fellows in the 'engine room'.

The Vale came out in combatant formation, probing into the Sandbach half with purpose. A Vale set-piece driving maul toward the left corner brought the first points, with hooker Andy Powers applying the crucial finish. Alex Briggs converted, and the intent was clearly declared.

Sandbach came back strongly. The Vale's defences remained intact, as their back line repeatedly went forward into tackles.

The Vale's second hit came from prop Archie Fowler, again from a driving maul.

It was all going swimmingly, until a pugilistic disagreement broke out, leaving both Sam Wallbank and the Sandbach tight-head, seeing red in the referee's hand.

Reorganisation on both sides produced a chance for Sandbach to cross the line. Amidst a melee of limbs and torsos, the try was given in the left corner.

One more converted try each, brought the half time score to 19 - 12 to the Vale.

Sandbach found gaps in the Vale's previously solid defensive wall. A central move up pitch brought widespread appealed for a forward pass, but it was not given and the try was scored between the posts.

The conversion levelled the points, and some nervous minutes ensued.

Eddie Abdelghafar was ordered to the 'naughty step' for 10 minutes, taking the Vale down to 13 men.

Clearance kicks failed to find touch, or bounce in-field when needed. Defending was at times frantic and uncoordinated, but the line held.

A penalty kick for Sandbach 42 yards out was on target, giving the visitors the lead for the first time. A reciprocal penalty kick by Briggs brought the score level again.

As the shadows grew longer, a superbly controlled scrum was marshalled over the line by Jack Ayrton, whose try retook the lead.

With seven points in it, and two minutes left on the clock, Sandbach ran in their fourth try. Their kicker launched his cannonball from the left sideline, it hit the upright and fell favourably over the try-line for another equaliser.

The 80 minutes came and went, with the Vale keeping play alive, determined to give it everything they had to claim the win.

A Sandbach infringement 35 yards out gave Alex Briggs the final kick of the game. If he missed, it would be a draw, but if he hit the spot, glory awaited.

The crowd fell into a respectful and tense silence. Briggs shut out all distractions. He swung his right boot through the ball and sent it between the posts to rapturous applause.

Five league points to the Vale and two for Sandbach were the hard numbers. Briggs was dubbed man-of-the-match and the party continued into the evening.

Next week sees the Vale on the M6 once again, this time to Altrincham Kersal. Kick off at 3pm.

Team:    A. Fowler, A. Powers, M. Mount, H. Fellows (c), J. Wallbank, M. Goodman, J. Ayrton,(c) S. Wallbank, J. Batty, J. Silverwood, J. Macfarlane, A. Bolton, A. Briggs, D. Leighton, C. Ramwell.     Reps: R. Pillow, J. Sutcliffe, E. Abdelghafar.