There was a twinkle too in the eyes of their normally taciturn coach Brendan Thomas. ‘After two successive narrow losses against Carlisle and Altrincham Kersal, we needed to start winning against top of the table sides, he said afterwards. Vale of Lune are serious contenders for league honours and we knew that on their own ground it wouldn’t come harder than that. This win will have done the player’s confidence no end of good and they now know that if they play as they did here again, cutting out unforced errors, they can be a real threat to any side in this league.’

With the elements in their favour in the first half, the Wolves scored three tries to lead 22-0 at the break and in the second half they put in a dogged defensive performance, some of their driving out of defence, the veteran blind side Rick Jones showing the way, and tackling, skipper Mike Black catching the eye, was absolutely fearsome. Vale only really got into their stride in the final minutes, when they started to look like the try scoring machine they had been all season thus far. They scored twice in this period, once in the last play of the game, when it had already been effectively won and lost.

For them it was one of those days when things that had been working well all season suddenly stalled. It started in the lineout which was plundered all afternoon by the Wolves’ Mike Clifford with a little bit of help from his friends, Simon Irving, Alex Taylor and Ben Jones. Nor could Vale exert any leverage in the scrum, in fact the longer the game went on the more Ms Walmsley, Whiteley, Ayrey and substitute Vassell found themselves in the box seat. With less than convincing first phase possession, the Vale’s dangerous backs found themselves short of time and space against a well marshalled Wolves back line and many of their moves just broke down with wayward passing at crucial moments. Not once was their dangerous scrum half Darren Wilson, so often their talisman, able to cross the gain line. Only their flyer Nick Royle on the right wing caused consistent problems thoughout every time the ball came to him.

Vale really should have scored in the opening minutes when Royle introduced himself by collecting a long kick ahead by Bob MacCallum and searing through the Wilmslow defence before releasing his support. They had three extra men in the Wolves twenty two and it looked easier to score than not to but somehow the Wolves cover got across, Vale lost the ball in the tackle and from the scrum MacCallum cleared. Clifford then spoilt Vale’s first lineout and that more or less was all that was seen of them as an attacking force for the next thirty five minutes.

MacCallum sensibly used the elements to kick the Wolves into attacking territory and the Wolves opening try soon followed. Clean lineout ball and crisp passing left Lawrence James on the right wing with half a chance to run in and showing considerable strength to hold off the defence, he did just that. MacCallum converted from the touchline with an imperious kick. Vale then knocked on when a score looked likely but back came the Wolves with another strong run from James and when Vale came offside from the ensuing scrum, MacCallum took the points on offer. Almost immediately a further good position was set up and from the lineout, the Wolves drove and got the touchdown, accredited to Rick Jones. James’ second try followed just before the break when the Wolves almost pilfered yet another Vale lineout and from the scrum gave him just enough space to cross the line, once again covered in Vale defenders. He might have had a third try when moments later he was put clear again but this time the Vale defender was quicker and caught him from behind.

No doubt the Vale coach had some unpleasant things to say to his charges at half time and it was with a different attitude that they now took the game to Wilmslow. It wasn’t long before Royle wriggled through the defence for their first try. MacCallum then immediately had a penalty chance which crucially he landed. The Vale tide though was now coming in, the Wolves were constantly pushed back by penalties for offences in and around the breakdown and James Moore was soon on target with a penalty. One glorious chance to settle the match was set up when Sam Cutts came in off his wing to scythe through the middle but his scoring pass to James was ruled to be forward. Playing deep in their own half, the Wolves stoically attempted to shut up shop by picking and driving with considerable effect out of defence and not missing a tackle. It eventually took a grubber kick behind the defence by Moore for Royle to run onto to get Vale’s second try. Time was running out though. Moore missed a long kick for goal from half way and when full back James Hodder joined the line to eventually score their third try, everybody knew that it was too late and that the Wolves were deservedly home and dry.

Afterwards, nobody could remember when Wilmslow had last won at Powderhouse Lane. The Vale officials though were gracious in defeat and their sandwiches and hot chicken legs tasted all the better for the result. The Wolves can enjoy their Christmas break, knowing that if they train and work hard together, they have the potential for a good second half of the season, which starts with a home game against Rochdale on 5th. January.