Rugby Union: Rochdale RUFC 21 - 36 Isle of Man

Rochdale RUFC Captain Callaghan takes the hit

Rochdale Rugby Union Football Club’s ‘international’ match against the Isle of Man resulted in victory for the Manx side.

A lively start saw the I.O.M. looking powerful. With their scrum half controlling the play, the massive pack rolled over the Rochdale defence to score a converted try.

The fast Rochdale backs gave a good account of themselves with Josh Schofield and Ollie Coldman linking up with Jimmy Flitcroft to press the visitors and it was Coldman who scored and converted Rochdale's first try. The conversion attempt failed.

The visitors kept up the pace and Rochdale gave away a penalty that proved to be in kicking range of he scrum half.

The next attack saw the Isle of Man put together a nice passing move and reach the five metre line. A quick inside pass saw the centre go over to score in the corner. The conversion attempt missed.

Rochdale were awarded a penalty on the Manx 22 and from the line out a passing move saw Rob Wadsworth go over in the corner, Coldman was wide with the conversion.

A Townsend clearance kick saw the Manx side penalised for a high tackle on their 22. Quick ball from the line out saw Rochdale advance to the 10 metre line, however the referee brought play back for a previous offence.

From the scrum the ball was channelled out to Flitcroft and the visitors were again penalised for offside. Coldman elected to kick for goal from just inside the Manx half, and a with half time looming a greta kick brought Rochdale back within two points of the I.O.M.

From the re-start a cross field kick by Coldman was taken by Blair Henry on the left wing but he was bundled into touch before he could release Schofield. From the line out the visitors put together an impressive passing move which saw their second row go over near the posts for a converted try right on half time.

Early in the second half Rochdale were awarded another penalty and Coldman to produced another successful long range kick.

Rochdale captain Tom Callaghan and Rob Ward both blocked the Manx pack before Townsend produced a clever kick through to the visitors 22 to relieve some of the pressure - the Manx were penalised for not releasing.

From the line out the ball came across to Flitcroft who beat two men and passed inside for Schofield to score. The kick from Coldman fell short but Rochdale were back within a point.

The Manxmen upped their play up a gear and showed why they are such a formidable side, their inside centre broke through the tackle to score just by the posts. An easy conversion.

The last 10 minutes was end-to-end stuff with both sides pressing and trading kicks and attacks. A big gap appeared on the Rochdale left side and a three man overlap saw the visitors run in their fifth try to seal the victory.

Rochdale take to the trip to Douglas in April for the return fixture.