Rugby Union: RRUFC Third XV 36 - 27 Broughton Park

Rochdale Rugby Union Football Club

The game against Broughton Park turned into a close encounter after Rochdale had seemed to be cruising to an easy victory.

Both teams provided stout defending in the opening ten minutes.

Jamie MacDougal was proving to be a handful to the Broughton outfit, and Rochdale scored their first try from one of his jinking runs. Andrew O’Brien opening the scoring and Danny Joesbury adding the extras.

Piotr Sipowicz took an early tumble and had to sit the rest of the match on the sideline, Rochdale though had plenty of replacements all of whom were used at some time during the game.

Rochdale scored further tries from Mark Duffin and George Hornby, kicked by Danny Joesbury.

At half time Rochdale were 17-7 up and just after the turnaround scored three more before Broughton Park managed to stem the tide with their own well taken try and conversion.

Sunderland and Murphy were working well up front for Rochdale but the backs were providing all the moves. Joesbury’s excellent tackling and covering kept the Broughton Park outfit at bay on several occasions with Hornby, Clegg and Humphries cutting through the Broughton line.

With ten minutes to go Rochdale led by 36-17, but Broughton sensed that Rochdale were beginning to tire and started to up their game. They scored two more excellent tries before the referee blew for time.

Rochdale captain Gary Smith said: “I am very pleased with the result and everyone played their part well, and put in plenty of effort. The Third’s now move on to round two in the competition.”