14 man Fleet' achieve a fine win

Chris Clapp took the initiative with a quickly taken tap penalty outpacing the defence to score in the corner. Vale fought back through their big forwards and scored to level the scores. The Fleetwood pack was reduced just before half-time when an uncharacteristic rush of blood by Pete Benny resulted in a straight red card. Down to 14 players Fleet had to rethink their game plan and played with great wisdom by keeping the ball away from the Vale pack. Clapp was always dangerous while Danny Maher had an excellent game at flanker, linking up well with his backs. The forwards battled bravely in the loose but struggled in the set scrums with a re-arranged front row of Tom Hird, making his senior debut in the front row, Rob Barnes and Mark Evans. John Dawson had a fine game at flanker until an unfortunate late injury forced him off the field. Mike Wilson also impressed at number 8.
In the backs Clapp linked well with Dewhirst who distributed good ball to his centres creating space out wide for their wings and full-back to out-pace the defence for scores in the second half. Dewhirst also kick wisely to gain good territory and move the heavy opposition around the pitch
Try scorers for Fleetwood were Jacob Lloyd, Ricky Newton and Jack Crompton after man of the match Clapp's early foray. Dewhirst converted a penalty-final score 23-13

Next week sees Fleetwood 2nd xv take on Thornton-Cleveleys 1st XV

Report by Ian Cameron