Plucky Vale outnumbered but not completely outplayed

With several players absent for various reasons, Avonvale were forced to start this difficult first battle of the New Year with just 11 players, only 7 of whom are regular team members.

The absenteeisms resulted in several players playing out of position and young centre Rob Fitch taking on the captaincy. Despite the changes, and the inclusion of four occasional players, Vale acquitted themselves well in the early exchanges and the Calne scores were almost all the result of their number advantage.

Just before the interval Avonvale were boosted by the arrival of veteran full back Steve Vowles, reducing the numbers deficit to three but, more importantly, eliminating the home side's long ball option and helping to keep the play tighter. Vale were unlucky not to score as the half came to a close, Vowles's son Joe taking an interception in his own half and just failing to get away from the last defender.

However the determined visitors did manage to get on the score sheet thanks to some good handling and an intelligent kick to the corner from Fitch allowed scrum half Matt Knight to gather and touch down.

Calne responded immediately but Vale were not finished yet and a break out of defence from Fitch put their hosts on the back foot, the ball then spread across the three quarters for Will Adams and Dan Ryan-Lowes, both forwards playing out of position, to combine down the far side and a well controlled 'grubber' kick from Ryan-Lowes was tapped on and grounded by hooker Jon Keepen, his first competitive senior try, to the delight of the large visiting support.

Again Calne responded and their final try brought the referees whistle and considerable applause from both sets of spectators. Credit must also go to referee Brian Turner for handling the game with the required amount of empathy.

Next week Vale return to Bathford where they entertain Cricklade in a 2.30 kick off on the Crown Field.