Three weeks away from the dramatic end to the game against Kirkby, little has changed. Again it is a game the team really need to win, to keep up the momentum, and pull away from the wrong end of the table. A good Vale win could bring them to within two points, but a win could take us above Lymm, although as they are hosting poor travellers Wirral, a win may be necessary just to stop the gap to safety widening again.
In their last game Vale got a draw away at our fellow strugglers Wilmslow, preceded by a narrow loss at home to Wirral, but a fortnight earlier they had the result of the season, inflicting defeat on high flying Billingham.
This one really matters, and Lancaster is not so far away, so why not get along and help the team with your extra support.
TEAM : Some interesting selections. Jack Lashley comes into the front row with Mark Irving dropping into the second row, partnering John Dervey. Ben Dixon (who was on the wing for the home game) comes into the back row in place of Steven Nelson.
Behind the pack, Andrew Boardley becomes the fourth player to pull on the No.9 shirt this season. He is making a first start since 2014, and a first at scrum half since November 2013 (away at Broughton Park, although the following weekend was more memorable, as he came off the bench to hold his nerve, and kick a conversion in the sixth minute of injury time, for victory against Widnes). Glen Weightman makes a welcome return to No.10 shirt, for the first time since early November.
Chris Park, Matthew Kaye and Robbie Collinson are on the bench.
WEATHER : It looks as if it will be cold but dry – but hopefully not too cold to put the game in doubt.