Aspatria 11 Vale of Lune 10

VALE of Lune failed to protect their own ball at a crucial time in their re arranged North Two West fixture at Aspatria.

In the 70th minute of a close game at Bower Park the Vale had put their noses ahead following a well taken try from the alert Andrew Richardson, converted by Andrew Garnett. Unfortunately the Vale made a mess of the restart, they failed to hold onto the ball and in the scramble for possession the conceded a penalty which the home side's full back, Steven Stoddart, kicked for the match winning score.

Although the Vale's pack were on top for most of the game few clear cut chances were created and the Vale trailed 8-0 at half time.

A penalty goal from Garnett in the fifty first minute came at the end of a period of Vale dominance as they began to chase the game.

Richardson's try and the conversion appeared to have settled the issue in favour of the visitors but a bungled restart decided the outcome as the Vale lost their third league game on the bounce.

Prop Dan Bowles made a massive contribution as did the whole front row.

Lock forwards Lee Farnworth and Matthew Speight had another industrious game, while Daniel Baines used his strength and pace to good effect. In a re arranged back division winger Sam Whiteway, on his debut impressed, while James Bryan in the centre produced a number of sparkling runs.

On Saturday Vale travel to Winnington Park, fully aware that they will need to maintain their concentration throughout, against a side who are second in the table.

Vale of Lune: Miller; Whiteway, Garnett, Bryan, Curran; Bennetts, Richardson; Bowles, M Sutcliffe, A Sutcliffe, (Jackson 18); Farnworth, Speight; D Baines, McHugh (S Baines 65), Fowler.