THE New Year may be more than a fortnight old but Vale of Lune's 2005 got off to a great if late start on Saturday.

Vale had not played a game since December 18 but had been sweating near the bottom of Powergen North 1 and went into their delayed game with fellow strugglers Middlesbrough in desperate need of a win.

And they dug deep in awful conditions to run out 14-8 winners to lift their gloom.

With the wind whipping across Powder House Lane and the tension amid both teams the game was never likely to be a classic.

Andy Miller defied the wind to boot Vale into a third minute lead with a well-taken penalty but Danny Poole levelled for Boro with a three-pointer of his own.

As the nerves got the better of both teams the game was punctuated with errors until Middlebrough shocked Vale with a 34th minute try when Andrew Micklewright raced over.

But two penalties from Miller either side of half time put the locals back in front before coach John Morgan's masterstroke of introducing fresh legs to the action.

That boosted Vale and they started to play flowing rugby with Andrew Sutcliffe being held up just short of the line.

But Boro failed to clear and from the resulting five-metre scrum winger Adam Smith nipped clear to cross the whitewash.

That shocked Boro and they pressed forward in retaliation, forcing Vale back into their 22. But a big rearguard action kept out the Teessiders to earn Vale's first double of the season and give themselves valuable breathing space.

They face a tough game on Saturday, though, as they make the trip to Humberside for a league clash with third-placed Hull Ionians.

VALE OF LUNE: Blackburn; Miller, Sorour, Bird, Smith; Bennetts, Richardson; Jackson, Rickerby (Allenn 54), Sutcliffe; Farnworth, Sheard, Barton, Baines (Darwen 60), McHugh.