Manchester Rangers A 16 - 40 Rochdale Cobras

Manchester Rangers A 16-40 Rochdale Cobras

After an intense pre season Rochdale Cobras travelled to take on Manchester Rangers in a clash of two of the division's strongest teams. In what was a tough game, Cobras out thought and out fought Rangers to come away with a well deserved win.

The opening ten minutes of the game Rangers  attacked the Cobras line and earned four back-to-back sets of six.

The Cobras defence held strong before a smart break put Rangers in for the first score of the game, which they converted.

Good vision from Ieuan Higgs sent Liam Hughes through a gaping hole in the Rangers defence to round the full back and touch down. Cobras converted the try to level the scores.

Cobras made the most of Rangers lack of discipline and crossed the line for a further three tries, all of which were converted.

After good work from the forwards, Dylan O'Shea crossed for a typical hookers try.

Tom Mills increased Cobras lead.

The pick of the tries in the first half came from Jamie Supyk, with Cobras defending on their own ten metre line, the second rower intercepted a looping pass and ran the distance to touch down.

The half came to an end with Rangers crossing for their second try of the game after a handling error by Cobras.

Manchester Rangers A 10 - 24 Rochdale Cobras

The second half began with both Cobras and Rangers going close on a couple of occasions.

The referee had to step in and speak to both captains as frustrations threatened boil over after high and dangerous tackles saw players on both sides take knocks.

Cobras scored the first try of the second half when link up play from Higgs and West allowed Daniel Sweeney to break and fend off three defenders on his way past the Rangers 40 to touch down. Higgs converted.

From the resulting restart Rangers kicked out and Cobras took advantage and forced two repeat sets. Rangers tried in vain to get out of their own 20 but the Cobras pack forced errors from Rangers handing Cobras the chance to put the game to bed. 

A high shot on Cameron Cowin gave Cobras a penalty 10 metres out. Cobras used this to cross for their sixth try of the game with an off load from Thomas Mills gifting Brad Agg a try on his full debut. West missed a tough kick from the touchline.

Rangers responded with a very physical set of six and a good move culminated  in them crossing under the posts. The try was converted.

With minutes remaining Cobras closed out the game when Alex West chipped a kick out wide for Liam Hughes to dash onto and  score his second try. Higgs converted.