Lancashire Cup: Rochdale RUFC 19 - 22 Blackburn RUFC

Rochdale RUFC

An overcast day at Moorgate Avenue saw Rochdale lose narrowly to local rivals Blackburn in the first round of the Lancashire Cup.

Rochdale welcomed back Richard West and Ross Hartley to first team action.

The opening action was all in the Rochdale 22 but resolute defence saw Blackburn lose the ball then give away a penalty for a high tackle.

The kick took play to the Blackburn 22 and from the resulting line out the ball got to Josh Schofield on the wing who rounded the last defender to score the opening try in the corner. Ollie Coleman converted.

The re-start saw Rochdale again on the attack but the ball was lost and Blackburn began to move the ball around.

Good defence by Hartley and the Rochdale pack held Blackburn until an overlapping move saw them break through on left wing and score an unconverted try.

Both sides had periods of possession but dropped ball and penalties caused the game to stutter in the midfield with neither side taking control.

Rochdale were forced to defend deep in their own half for long periods.

After a series of penalties Blackburn finally found a gap and scored a try under the posts, which was converted.

Rochdale responded well and after a good line out take by Helliwell the ball came to Coleman and a pass to Best saw him over the line in the corner. The conversion went just wide.

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 19 - 22 Blackburn RUFC

Rochdale brought Rob Ward, Joe Richardson and Dom Sturridge on for the second half.

The half started with a good break by Rochdale down the left wing with Willetts taken down with yards left.

Blackburn had a free kick which took them to the Rochdale 22 and another penalty saw them at the five metre line.

The line out was won by Rochdale and Coleman cleared to the half way line.

Blackburn lost the ball in the ruck and Rochdale were back on the attack - a promising move foiled when a pass was intercepted. Blackburn made the most of it by feeding the full back who linked up to score in the corner. The try was converted.

A good break by Ward saw Rochdale in the Blackburn 22 but another dropped pass cost the home side the ball.

A series of penalties moved Blackburn into the Rochdale half. A penalty for handling in the ruck gave Blackburn the chance of three points but the kick went wide in the breeze.

The drop out saw Rochdale pressing Blackburn again in the midfield. Good work by Best and Coleman saw several attacking moves but mistakes in handling left Blackburn with the ball.

Rochdale defended well and after a scrum the ball was fed out by Coleman to Willets, who made a great run to outpace the Blackburn defence and score a superb try. The conversion made it 19-19 with only 10 minutes left to play.

Almost from the re-start Ross Hartley was penalised for not releasing on the Rochdale 22. In front of the posts the Blackburn kicker made no mistake to give Balckburn a three point lead.

Rochdale's response was to race up to the visitors 10 metre area. Rochdale camped close to the Blackburn line and the referee gave a series of penalties to Rochdale but for all their efforts Rochdale could not find a way through.

Full time: Rochdale RUFC 19 - 22 Blackburn RUFC