VALE A team finished the year on a high as they celebrated a derby day win over Kendal as 2006 ended in the wind and rain.

Heavy rain prior to kick off curtailed the warm up and pre match preparations as puddles began to appear on the playing surface.

Kendal had first use of the blustery wind that blew from the clubhouse end, and they quickly pinned the Vale deep in their own half.

Finding any solid ground was always a lottery but a number of Vale's fleet footed players were willing to give it a go.

Jack Payne was always prepared to back himself, Alistair Richards cut a merry dash from full back, and all the backs ran with conviction as did the back row with Luke Ford prominent in the early exchanges.

The Vale's score came in the 26th minute after the pack, with Dave Halliwell and Gavin Speak stoking the boilers, shunted Kendal off the ball.

Centre Tom Bates set off on a balanced dancing crossfield run. Leaving defenders stranded he cut back inside to touch down under the posts, Adam Armstrong converting.

A second Kendal was off target before winger Graham Lumsden chased a long kick that took play deep into Kendal's 22.

Paul Warburton broke away, Ford hacked the ball deep into Kendal territory but the visitors drew level in the 51st minute with Speak as Warren Watson was hustled over the line for a try converted by Dan Stephens.

Both sides were not going to settle for a draw, play swept back and forth as the conditions slightly improved.

Replacement Alan Whittaker had only been in action for a few minutes before he was sent to the sin bin and Armstrong missed with a penalty just after the hour mark but he made amends four minutes later with a well struck kick.

Vale A: A Richards; J Payne, T Bates, T Horrocks, G Lumsden; A Armstrong, J Antcliffe; S Foy, P Warburton, G Speak; R Mudd, D Halliwell; M Whittaker, M Shaw, L Ford. Replacements: D Birchall, A Whittaker, J Ferguson.

* VALE of Lune's and Ripley St Thomas pupil James Hesketh has been selected to play for the North of England Under 16s against a Lancashire under-18 squad on Sunday at Lytham. The following week he will hoping to catch the national eyes when he plays against London and the South at Castlecroft.