Broughton Park 26 - 29 Rochdale

Oli Coldman - Broughton Park 26: 29 Rochdale

Rochdale found it hard work against a spirited display from a Broughton Park side languishing in the relegation zone only clinching their victory with a penalty kick in the final few minutes.

An injury depleted Park side made a lively start when their forwards drove into the Rochdale 22 and released early ball to their backs for centre Beardmore to make a clean break and hand on to his support for an exciting opening try, converted by out half Parker.

Rochdale reacted well and played their way to the home 22 where they were awarded a scrum. Surridge broke blind and good inter-passing with Coldman, Johnson and Flitcroft gave Surridge the score.

Small mistakes were peppering an otherwise exciting game and it became a rather stop-start affair with defences gaining the upper-hand.

Bradley and Hodgkinson combined well in a line-out to provide good possession and the Rochdale pack drove Park over, with Dale Slamon clinching the try. Coldman added the extras.

Rochdale, growing in confidence, saw both wings, Johnson and Willets, involved in good runs as was Sean Needham who released quick ball for Duffy and Mair to combine and allow fullback Flitcroft to zip in for a well-worked try. Coldman made no mistake with the conversion.

Park captain O'Donnell rallied his troops and driving from a scrum on the Rochdale 22 he carried to the five metre line and his support drove over close to the posts. Parker converted.

Broughton Park 14 - 19 Rochdale

Rochdale opened well in the second half and good hands from Duffy and prop Slamon provided the space for Mair to make a neat break but the Park cover managed to snuff the danger.

Robbie Wadsworth provided quick line-out ball and the backs, using fast hands, sent it right along the line to Johnson on the right and back inside for Coldman to score the try and add the kick.

Captain O'Donnell again roused Park with a strong run to the 10 metre line and Parker kicked deep into Rochdale territory.

Rochdale repelled a series of Park attacks and stayed resolute.

Flitcroft took a fall going for a high ball and Needham had to limp from the field. Andy Donoghue and Harry Hill entered the fray.

Donoghue broke from the scrum on the 22 but was hauled down on the half way line.

Park countered and this time played with patience and pressured Rochdale into committing a yellow card of fence. Park elected for the scrum and drove over for a try. Parker faded his kick just wide.

Park were right back in the game and kept up the pressure and Rochdale, foolishly, committed another yellow card offence. The Park forwards took advantage of numbers and drove over to score their fourth try. When Parker added the extras the scores were level.

Back to 14 men, Rochdale's character emerged and the defence was tightened.

Rob Willets, collecting a high ball on his 22, went on mazy 50 metre run and when he was eventually tackled Park gave away a penalty 30 metres out. Ollie Coldman elected for the kick and calmly slotted it for a 26-29 win for Rochdale.

A five pointt win was a good result for Rochdale and two losing bonus points gave Broughton Park some consolation and the spirited display from their young team will give them hope for the future.