Injury hit handed Christian Mutch a first team debut on the bench to make up the numbers.

Heavy rain greeted the teams as they came out, with Vale looking up for it and throwing everything into attack.

The hosts were first to score making use of their large pack of forwards to drive over with the try converted to give them a 7-0 lead but Daniel Woods touched down with Andy Smith converting for 7-7.

Vale then found space in the centre with the winger breezing through from 30m out to score under the sticks with an easy conversion.

Saints now started to click into gear with Oscar Crowe coming from the back of a maul close range to score on the line before captain Will Grebe powered over in the corner to give Saints the lead 14-17 at half time.

Saints started the second half like they ended the first with Myles Holmes bashing his way forward at every opportunity and it was Lewis Kincart darting from behind the scrum to score next to the posts converted by Smith for 14-24 and a bonus point.

With the scrum solid Kincart slipped the ball to Holmes who powered his way over the line with two defenders unable to stop him, converted by Smith for 14-31.

A long high clearance kick was allowed to bounce and Sam Cotgrave, playing in his 50th game for Saints, retrieved the ball passing it to Ollie Dodd to run it in from 25m out under the sticks, again converted for 14-38.

With the introduction of Grant Friday and debutant Mutch things didn’t improve for Vale with the forwards driving forward at every opportunity.

Sam Gregory went over between the uprights with another easy conversion for Smith making it 14-45.

A 10m line out, driven towards the line, saw hooker Joe Sanders drive over to score Saints eighth and final try of the game converted by Smith to make it 14-52.

Vale managed a last try in the dying seconds of the game to give their supporters some cheer and with the rain again pouring down the referee blew the whistle to end the game 21-52.

The win leaves Saints  top of the table on points difference. Next week Saints are at home to Bowden with a 3pm kick off.