Blackburn 18pts Vale of Lune 31

A BELOW-PAR performance from their highly rated back division cost Blackburn dear in this traditional grudge match.

The Vale began more strongly scoring three converted tries without response before Blackburn came to life forcing a penalty kicked by Westhead.

A tight-lipped coaching staff was unavailable for comment afterwards, speaking volumes about how badly Blackburn under-performed.

Uncharacteristic errors such as forward passes and knock-ons in the backs sent chances begging allowing the Vale to relieve the pressure that had been put on their line.

At half time the disappointing 21-3 scoreline put immense pressure on the hosts to score quickly.

There were bright spots that will give Blackburn some cause for hope, their busy blindside flanker Mike Frances was voted man-of-the-match.

The backrow as a whole performed their usual heroics, number eight Adam Smith and openside flanker Stuart Jarrold are becoming formidable opponents.

An attempt at a spirited fightback came in the second half, Duncan McAuley at centre made no mistake gathering two tries.

Westhead converted one of these and kicked another penalty. Vale were allowed to counter far too often from poor clearance kicks and managed a further 10 points themselves with a converted try and a penalty of their own. The Lancaster men are used to the dogfight in this league having survived it for the last three years, that experience guaranteed they were never to let slip their first half advantage.

Vale of Lune 2nd 28pts Blackburn 2nd 7

BLACKBURN 2nd went down in this rugged, but good-tempered encounter.

The Vale scored two early tries due to slack tackling, both were converted sparking stout resistance and some good attacking play from Blackburn.

Nigel Atherton broke through after plying their own brand of continuous rucking rugby up the length of the Vale's massive first team pitch.

It was 14-7 at half time.

The whole game was end to end hard and exciting, but Blackburn could not convert what few chances they had and with 10 minutes to go allowed the home side through twice to finish as they started.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.