Vale no fools in Combination opener

With both sides grateful to finally be able to get this match played after several rain affected previous attempts, it was Avonvale who took the spoils under floodlights at Bath's Lambridge training ground.

Vale opened the scoring early as their speedy backs took every opportunity to hit gaps and centre Steve Bath crossed for the first try of the evening following good forward play and a clever pop pass from fly half Rob Fitch.

Old C's seemed intent on upsetting the referee and a series of penalties gave Vale further points when Fitch placed his first attempt neatly through the uprights. Vale then made several handling errors and allowed their visitors back into the game when an offside decision gave them a kickable penalty which sailed through with a little wind assistance.

Fitch however restored the lead just two minutes later with a superb long range penalty against the wind and took Vale into an 11-3 lead at the break.

Vale forwards continued to press in the second half and a deep kick from Bath took them to within a few metres of the line but a stolen line out was fumbled giving C's a short scrummage, Vale wing forward Scott Harvey was quickest on the loose ball however and gathered from the C's side of the scrum and dived across the line to open the gap. Fitch added the extras and Vale looked home and dry - despite the teaming rain which was keeping everybody, including the very large crowd, anything but.

With time running out for C's, both teams made several changes however Vale were able to bring on a number of strong replacements and continued to dominate. Fitch added two further penalties as the match drew to the inevitable home victory and Vale now entertain Westbury in the first round proper.