Rugby Union: Rochdale 15 - 12 Eccles

Rochdale RUFC 15 - 12 Eccles

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Rochdale RUFC were too strong for local rivals Eccles.

Travis Townsend returned for Rochdale at scrum half and Richard West at centre.

Both sides like to run the ball and on a fine day with little wind the prospects for some open flowing rugby were good.

The first quarter saw both sides attacking but mistakes and a string of penalties on both sides broke up play until finally Callum Duffin collected a high kick in his 22 metre area and returned the ball into touch in the Eccles half.

They were penalised for a short throw and from the scrum Dale pushed forward well and the visitors were again penalised for holding down on their own 10 metre line.

The line out was won by Rochdale and Jim Flitcroft was unlucky to be brought down only just short of the line.

Eccles lost the ball going forward in their own 22 and Rochdale’s pack kept the ball in the scrum and drove over the line for the opening try. Townsend converted .

Eccles made several good attacks into the Rochdale half but good tackling and some dropped ball cost them dearly. They did get a penalty just outside the Rochdale 22 and elected to kick but the ball veered to the left just missing the upright.

Rochdale had several good chances with West, Duffin and Adi Sutherland making good ground and the pressure told whenRochdale were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts. Travis made no mistake.

The second half started with Josh Schofield going forward until he was high tackled by Eccles Joe Dale who escaped a yellow card for reasons best known to the referee, fortunately Schofield was able to continue.

West kicked high into the Eccles 10 metre area and the Rochdale pack piled in on the full back who attempted to clear only to have his kick charged down going forward off one of his own players.

From the scrum, Rochdale attempted a scissors move which went astray, the ball being intercepted on the five metre line by Eccles centre Tom Waring, who ran the full length of the pitch chased by Duffin who he tried to side step but who caught him. Waring managed to let the ball go to a supporting player who scored further out. The conversion was good.

Ten minutes later Rochdale were back in front. Affter a series of attacks failed to reach the line they were awarded another penalty for offside. A huge kick from West, a Rochdale line out in the Eccles 22 was taken well again and the ball taken in by the pack who steam rollered their way over in the corner for a well deserved second try. The conversion was missed.

Eccles had a great chance when they broke away down the middle from another interception and seemed almost certain to score in the corner but the last pass went forward and the try was disallowed by the referee.

The scrum was won by Rochdale and cleared by West deep into the visitor’s half.

Try as they might Rochdale could find no way through the Eccles defence and as the game ebbed and flowed it was they who got the next chance to score with a penalty from 30 metres out which flew just wide.

Rochdale kept on attacking but their efforts went unrewarded. They were penalised for holding on and from the resultant penalty the visitors had a line out on the Rochdale 22. Eccles won the ball and got the it out to the winger, who got the better of opposite number Rob Willets rounding him and scoring in the corner . The conversion missed.

The last three minutes was all action with both sides throwing everything in. West was yellow carded for a block tackle on the Eccles 22 and they pushed on to half way winning a scrum.

Townsend, who had had a great game, had to be replaced and on came Danny Joesbury to play scrum half; he caught his Eccles opposite number at the base of the scrum and held him up. A penalty was awarded to Rochdale and a very relieved Adi Sutherland slammed the ball into touch to hear the referee’s whistle blow for full time.

A very entertaining game. Rochdale made life hard for themselves at times but battled for a result against a very game Eccles side.