Vandals 61 Vale of Lune 3rds 5: match report by Tony Rawlinson
After a cloudy but dry start to the Saturday, the sun came out just in time to witness an equally stellar performance from the “Vivacious Vandals”. The boys got the contest underway playing toward their clubhouse, sporting their new playing kit, and immediately showed intent with a full-throttle kick chase.
Vale started quite positively too though and gave what they took in the opening exchanges. However, some of the Vandals trademark slick handling saw home captain, Jamie Griffin, scamper over for an excellent team try. Centre Gavin Kelly missed the extras and it was 5-0 to the home side.
With the fillip of that early score, the intensity grew in their play. Powerful running from Jack “the rhino” McCutcheon split the opposition defence open for a try to the left of the posts. Kelly again unsuccessful from the tee, which was causing him no end of trouble as it had, allegedly, gone out of shape. 10-0 to the Vandals.
Fairly soon after, a steepling kick from one of the Fylde backs homed in on a Vale defender. The ball was chased down at full tilt by Nathan Johnston, and the superb young flanker didn’t break stride as he put in a crushing hit on his unsuspecting oppo; which drew sharp intakes of breath from the healthily numbered supporters. What a hit!!
It was Vale though who troubled the scorers next after a terrific running line saw their dangerous centre crash through a few token gestures to dot down to the right. Conversion missed, 10-5.
Fylde’s response was quick and clinical. McCutcheon again profiting from his immense power to grab his 2nd, which Karl Etherington nonchalantly converted in front of the H; 17-5. The Vandals were really hitting their straps by now Kelly was next to score but once again the Vandals need for a regular kicker was illuminated.
Manager, Tony Rawlinson, gave his Man of the Match to Nathan Johnston, making his long-awaited return from some debilitating health issues, and he was indeed having a “worldy”. So it was uncharacteristic that he failed to gather a pass, when it looked a great opportunity to run to the line. He didn’t have to wait long for recompense as Johnston showed quality, determination and pace on the right and dived in the corner for a great score.
There was still time for the effervescent fly-half Jon Green, to dart over near the posts before the break, which veteran prop Liam Sheedy clouted between the posts to give the home side a commanding 34-5 lead.
Vale were understandably disheartened and the 2nd half saw much of the same activity in their own half.
Two quickfire Mulenga Chilufya tries from fullback, inside the first few minutes, extended the Vandals lead to 44-5 and a powerful run and clever line from Karl Etherington in the Vale 22, saw him scythe through for the 9th try, and at 49-5 it was all over bar the shouting.
Kelly then got his 2nd of the afternoon, and Luke Clitheroe ran a quality line to grab himself a well deserved try. An ample reward for a good shift at right wing. Amazingly, the extras were added and sealed an emphatic 61-5 victory. 27 tries in 2 games sends a signal out to all teams this season, that the “Vivacious Vandals” are going to be a tough proposition.
Great credit goes to Vale of Lune, who were depleted, and they never gave up or let their heads drop.
MOTM as previously mention was the man pictured below, Nathan Johnston
DOTD was Niall Cartmell for getting injured standing still in the warmup, although rumours are circling that he was just tired!
Match report by Tony Rawlinson
Fylde RFC