On the hottest day of the year so far, it was no surpise that whoever won the toss would bat first at Horntye Cricket Ground. Luckily for the Vale team skipper Carl Brook called correctly and promptly asked the Vale openers to pad up.

At 12-2 Vale were struggling to come to grips with the Priory attack as opening bowlers D.Payne 1-18 and J.Lamb 1-10 bowled economically. Andy Hayes (33) and Carl Brook (19) added 39 before the latter fell to a catch in the covers. The welcome return of Darren Mortimer (26) partnered with Steve Brook (41) who then began to move the scoreboard forward at a good rate with 23 respectively coming from Chris Kirkham and Chris Brook at the end of the innings. This took the Vale total to 209 off their 40 overs, some 40 short of where they would have liked to have been on a ground as big as Horntye. The other wickets were taken by J.Coleman (1-29), B.Harvey (2-49), B.McKenzie (2-36) and J.Shonk (1-33).

In reply Priory started well with D.Payne (32) and J.Powell (41) at the top of the order. Both were removed by some quality spin bowling from Carl Brook who took 3 wickets for 9 runs off his 8 overs including 4 maidens. On run rate Vale remained very slight favourites throughout the innings but Priory were always in with a chance with runs coming from batsman J.Lamb (22), A.Newman (22) and F.Rahman (40). However further wickets fell to Liam Stamp (2-40), G.Wenham (1-46) and Steve Brook (3-15) to seal the win with just a few overs to spare.