ON a day when Moss Lane was finally able to see some action, the return was well worth waiting for, with both sides producing a highly entertaining and ultimately nerve jangling game of rugby with the result in doubt until the very last kick.
Liverpool St Helens were edged 25-24 by Vale of Lune in a game that followed a much too similar pattern seen in recent games.
The opposition had the better of the first half before the Moss Laners, as if with the flick of a switch, launching a second half fight-back.
Vale went ahead with a converted try after six minutes and with LSH having difficulty in retaining the ball, added another, eleven minutes later, to take a 14 point lead.
Gradually however LSH worked into the game and hit back on the half hour mark with a fine try down the left wing from Jake Dickinson running round under the posts, converted by Matty Wood.
Then as so often this season, when seemingly gaining control they conceded points on the stroke of half time as Vale crossed for their third try.
The visitors added a penalty immediately on the restart to go 22-7 up signalling the now familiar LSH recovery, powered on this occasion by an engine room fired up by the skipper Paddy Royle and Ben Battison, having his best game since joining the Moss Laners.
The pair galvanised the pack to a number of successful forays into the Vale 22 resulting in a good break from Rob Sexton sending in Wood for a neat try under the posts, converted.
Gaining further momentum LSH reduced the arrears further in the 67th minute when Wood was on hand to finish off another strong attack with his second try.
With the game deep into the last ten minutes Vale added another three points before LSH launched one last gasp attack bringing a try from winger John Romano in the right hand corner.
Sadly, a hushed Moss Lane saw the touchline kick just fail.
There was some comfort for the Moss Laners with the two bonus point haul, a losing point and one for four tries, lifting them off the bottom of the League.
Next week LSH are at home to League Leaders Birkenhead Park 2.15
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here