Rotating a squad of 24 players in four 20 minutes sessions, the effort put in by all players gave very encouraging signs for the season ahead after a long summer break.

It was a solid workout with the right result as Vale tried players in different positions and also had several players having their first ever game.

Understandably there were a lot of early errors due to pre-season rustiness and the new ELVs being used for the first time.

Mansfield probably started the stronger up front and Vale were struggling for possession in the first few minute,s but solid defence kept the home team at bay.

When Vale did secure decent ball they looked to run it through a back line that looked full of pace and only several last ditch tackles, coupled with wayward passes, stopped Vale scoring several first half tries.

Of the two they did score one was a fantastic team effort that went through all the back line’s hands, finished by Ryan Rose under the posts and converted by Gary Boyd.

The other was a typical Ivan Stevenson effort, skipping through several tackles before again scoring under the posts, this time converted by Tony Rose.

Vale let their concentration slip and let Mansfield score after a tap penalty saw John Caldwell race away virtually unopposed.

Vale had all the work to do going uphill in the second half but again inexperience in attack, but sound defence, led by Gary Boyd, left the score as it was, until five minutes from time.

Then a sloppy error from a Vale scrum saw the ball pop out with the Mansfield back row reacting quickest for a try by Tony Ratcliffe.

However, what seemed an easy conversion was missed so allowing Vale the victory.

Mansfield are hopeful they can build on this performance and effort when they travel to play a combined Ollerton RUFC side next Saturday which should set them up for their first league encounter the following weekend against arch rivals Newark.