Wigtons last two visits to Powder House Lane ended in heavy defeats but perhaps a measure of the improvement the squad has made during those two years was evident on Saturday.

With backs Will Miller and Fergus Leadingham skiing and forwards Deans and Dobson missing through work commitments the side showed five changes with John Story, Andrew Prentice, Charles Studholme, Elliot Armstrong and Scott Smith coming on board.

Vale dominated the early exchanges with a strong scrummage and a desire to move the ball to pacey backs Curran and Royle. Curran was put away following a midfield turnover and it took an excellent tackle from Dave Hanabury to prevent a score, this was quickly followed by a break by stand off Jack Turton but Tom Gardner came to the rescue.

On seven minutes a counter attack from Vale took the ball to Royle and he wrong footed defenders taking a classy line to score. Turton added the conversion 7-0.

From the restart Wigton got into Vale territory for a good five minutes of pressure through a strong line out and dynamic pick and go plays, however, they ran out of patience and a penalty let `vale off the hook.

This took play deep into the Wigton half and following some strong scrummaging a kick behind the Green defence saw Royle win the race to an in goal touchdown. Conversion missed 12-0.

It was time for the Greens to rally and two line out mauls took play into the Vale twenty. Strong carries from Gardner, Atkinson and McLean built the pressure and from a driving maul Lindsay Walker claimed the try. 12-5 at half time.

On 42 minutes Wigton's task became more difficult when, following a 15 meter scrum, a second kick in behind the defence saw Jonathan Higgin secure possession and score under the posts. Again Turton converted and at 19-5 Vale were in the driving seat.

However Wigton had other ideas, some stirring words from Captain Andy Brown brought an immediate response. Vale turned the ball over from a deep restart and with good possession from an improving scrum Wigton set about mauling to good effect. A penalty for pulling down led to a five metre line out, and from the driving maul this time it was skipper Andy Brown who claimed the try with Tom Gardner converting 19-12.

It was time for the Wigton forwards to dominate and Vale were visibly tiring. Mark Lee was proving a handful with his running from the base, he combined well with centre Ewan Dowes who went on to make the Vale twenty and from the ensuing ruck ball Dave Hanabury showed great vision to create a gem of a try for Tom Gardner with a perfect openside kick behind the Vale defence. Gardner showed great composure to pull off a touchline conversion 65 minutes 19-19.

This set up a dramatic finale with both sides looking to push on and take the game. On 70 minutes a high tackle gave Turton the opportunity to take Vale ahead with a thirty metre penalty but Wigton were not to be denied and an excellent counter saw Scott Smith carry strongly down the left flank and the Wigton forwards were able to begin another march towards the line. Vale, not for the first time, infringed and Tom Gardner stepped up to kick a seventy eight minute penalty.

The last few minutes were played out in midfield before referee Steve Snoddy brought events to a close 22-22.

The character and team spirit on show epitomised what this Wigton squad is about. When Charles Studholme took the field on 75 minutes for his 1st XV debut he was the 36th player used this season. Only 4 of those lads did not play for Wigton Colts............! On the day there were many creditable performances but the travelling supporters opted for Tom Gardner as MOM.