6th February 2016
Ollerton 12 -14 Meden Vale

On a wet and windy afternoon, Meden Vale travelled to Ollerton to play the semi-final of the NLD vase. This was a day when the two form sides in the league met for the second time this season. Ollerton are top of the league winning 12 from 12 and vale are unbeaten in 7 and scoring over 300 points during this fine run of form. This was a fascinating contest pitching the power of the vale pack against the pace of the Ollerton backs and what ensued was a tough cagey affair that lived up to the pre-match expectation.
The first half was fairly even with Ollerton possibly just edging the possession and territory mainly because of Vales inability to string more than a couple of phases together and becoming bogged down and pegged back by silly mistakes. Ollerton capitalised on these mistakes and opened the scoring with a good try from the scrum half 7-0.
Vale made a change after 30 minutes, in order to instill some calm and control into the vale pack by the introduction of veteran Chris Lee. Vale made ground up-field and a super catch and drive from a line-out led to Danny D crossing for Vales first try of the afternoon which Ricky Geeson converted. 7-7
The second half got underway and vale gained the initiative through driving mauls created by the forwards. The ollerton forwards collapsed the maul all afternoon which never seemed to be penalised apart from on one important occasion when vale were awarded a penalty try and took the lead 7-14.
Ollerton came back strongly but some resolute defence by the vale backline and in particular Ashley Davies kept the their backs at bay as they exerted press for several minutes of the half. The game ebbed and flowed as each team weathered their particular storm until Ollerton came back to within touching distance with a try in the corner that they failed to convert. 12-14
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, vales forward dominance kept the play in the ollerton half. Vale played the clock down and ollerton were restricted to trying to break through a strong vale defence from their own half. With 3 minutes remaining, Vale were awarded a kickable penalty and Captain Brad Rhodes decided to kick for the corner and keep the pressure on the ollerton forwards. This proved to be the correct decision as vale closed out the game by snuffing out one last attack and sealing their place in the final of the NLD vase.
Saturday’s game was difficult for all involved not least to those who didn’t manage to get on the pitch. Difficult decisions had to be made and those affected reacted admirably by voicing concerns after the match and maintaining support for those on the pitch throughout.
A few Special mentions:
Brad Rhodes led with the passion and commitment that we have come to expect.
Danny D topped off a fine performance with a well worked try.
Dan Gray marshalled the back line superbly and was ably assisted by all of the backs.
Man of the match was Johnny Chick who tackled everything that moved and never stopped running.
This is a squad game and this squad of ours marches on, still fighting on 3 fronts! We could still win the league if results go our way, we are in the semi-final of the Notts Vase and we have a trip to the Final of the NLD Vase…
We are Vale!

Thanks to Barrie for providing another great report.

The NLD finals this year will be held at Mellish RUFC on the 23rd of April (St George's Day) & we face Skegness RFC.
Back to league duties this Saturday where we welcome Ollerton to the Welfare ground. Lets do the same again and keep the momentum going after booking a well deserved place in the NLD finals for the second year running. 100% home record this season lets get up training and keep it this way
Johnny

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