Creditable performance in defeat

Vale caught the hosts off guard early on with a converted try quickly followed. Fleet' rallied well and young Scott Richardson landed a penalty. The Fleetwood forwards continued to work hard against their bigger opponents and won good ball which was carried upfield and after a series of line-outs a penalty was awarded 5 metres out. Steve Buzza was given the ball on the charge and was unstoppable from this range. at 10-8 it was a close contest. Hooker Henry Turner threw accurately all afternoon and found James Cameron and Andy Holme to secure good line-out ball.
However Vale's backs always looked threatening with ball in hand and took the initiative with the next try which was converted. In the second half Fleetwood scored the try of the game after a kick ahead by Vale. Full-back Jim Haigh collected the ball in his 22 and called a mark. Quick thinking allowed Craig Doherty to make progress upfield linking well with skipper Ricky Newton and fly-half Mark Silva. A slick return pass sent Newton racing under the posts for a good team try. Richardson converted. At 17-15 the game went into the final quarter with all to play for. Vale were always strong in the forwards regularly turning over possession in contact whilst Fleetwood looked dangerous when their backs got the ball. With only minutes remaining the Vale no.8 broke from a scrum down the blind side and a series of missed tackles allowed him to score the decisive try which was converted to give a final score of 24-15.
Fleetwood can take credit for this performance and afterwards captain Ricky Newton made a generous presentation to young James Cameron who is due to leave for university. Newton was awarded the man of the match after leading from the front.

Report by Ian Cameron