Rugby Union: Glossop RUFC 19 - 29 Rochdale RUFC

On a sunny but breezy day at Hargate Hill, Rochdale fielded several young players hoping for a better performance than last week’s poor performance.

Coach Danny Collins used the young replacements in the pack, supported by Tom Helliwell and Gui DeSousa in the second row.

Rochdale won the lineout only to lose the ball in the midfield, and the Glossop scrum half, Sonczak, jinked through the Rochdale defence and passed wide for the winger to score despite a tackle by Blair Henry. The conversion made it 7-0.

Glossop conceded a penalty under the posts, which was converted to make the score 7-3 after 15 minutes.

From the re-start, Travis Townsend led a charge into the Glossop 22 only to be held up, the ball was stolen in the tackle, both sides had good chances but no dominance by either.

On the half hour coach Danny Collins brought himself on to pep up the attack, this worked when Glossop were penalised for a high tackle on Dom Macklin as he went over in the corne for a well deserved try. Converted by Ollie Coldman to make it 7-10.

 

 

A yellow card for the Glossop number seven helped Rochdale in the centre; Townsend, Serridge and Macklin all making good breaks with a fine passing move finding Blair Henry, who beat the full back only to be bundled into touch just short of the line.

 

 

A scrum taken against the head by Rochdale saw Collins break for the line. Glossop were penalised for holding up play and the tap and go by Townsend led to good passes finding the flying Jimmy Flitcroft who powered over for a good try. The conversion attempt was just wide.

The second half started with Rochdale having to defend deep and hold a determined Glossop pack but again ill- discipline led the a second yellow card for Glossop and the game swung back to Rochdale.

Despite losing several line outs, good Rochdale pressure led to a  series of penalties and another yellow card for Glossop.

A good take and drive by the pack saw Collins crash over the line to take the score to 7-20.

Collins went off and Chris Hodgkinson came on and he was soon in the action. Coldman kicked deep and he collected the return he then beat two defenders and passed short inside to Hodgkinson who crossed the line. Coldman converted.

With 10 minutes left and Glossop back to 14 men the pressure on the Rochdale line grew and despite tackles by new boy Jack Green and Hartley, Glossop were back in the game when Gaskell made a good break in the Rochdale 22 and scored under the posts for a converted try.

With the hosts looking for a least a losing bonus point they pressed with a series of scrums pressuring the Rochdale line.

A yellow card adding to their troubles, Rochdale conceded with minutes to go but the 19-27 result was not quite enough for the Glossop bonus point.

Rochdale got all five "much needed" points.