Avonvale had first use of the gale force wind which was blowing down the pitch and used their advantage to great effect. Although Melksham had the ball for the first 15 minutes but Vale defended well and when they got the ball they used their talented backs to move Melksham around. Winger Tobias Adlam was first on the score sheet when he showed great strength to crash over wide out. Then the other winger for Vale Steve Grant danced between two defenders to score under the posts. He added the conversion as well. Then Vale were dealt a big blow when influential No. 8 George Hobbs was carried off with a hamstring injury to add to their already lengthy injury list. With fly half Joe Vowles moving into No. 8 and Grant moving into fly half Vale continued to move the ball around. Returning centre Drew Retford squeezed through three defenders to score and his fellow centre Jack Burcombe then went around the defence to score Vale,s bonus point try. Grant converted one of these to give Vale a 24.0 lead at half time.
With Vale now going against the elements they changed their tactics and their forwards started to pick and drive. Melksham scored an unconverted try from a long kick down wind before flanker James Russell broke away to score out wide for Vale. Melksham had lots of possession but could not break down the Vale defence. Vale, s forwards then showed their ball handling skills to create a try for prop Donald Wilkins. Melksham scored in the dying seconds to leave Vale with a 34.10 victory. Coach Steve Phillips said. We came here today with a prop playing 2nd row and, a scrum half playing flanker but the lads showed great spirit and determination to come away with a victory. To lose George is a big blow but we will just have to get on with it and I am sure the lads will continue to step up to the mark every week