Rugby Union: Rochdale RUFC 13 - 19 Blackburn RUFC

Rochdale RUFC V Blackburn

On a glorious afternoon at Moorgate Avenue, Rochdale were beaten by Blackburn in a good game of open flowing rugby on a pitch in great condition.

Rochdale, fielding a weakened side against a very big and strong Blackburn pack, had most of the play in the opening ten minutes.

Blackburn scored first though as they moved the ball across the line very quickly, drawing the Rochdale defence across with it. A cross field kick found the unmarked Blackburn winger, who went in at the corner. The difficult kick was converted.

Rochdale were awarded a penalty for an offside decision and Coldman converted.

The game ebbed and flowed, but on a Blackburn attack Rochdale went offside at the ruck, leaving Blackburn a relatively easy kick in front of the posts. However, the kicker slipped just before contact and the ball went wide.

Rochdale enjoyed good possession and were camped on the Blackburn five metre line before being awarded three back-to-back penalties - a Blackburn player was sin binned for 10 minutes but no penalty try was awarded.

Rochdale kicked to the corner and the ensuing ruck led to a scrum, from which Willets scored in the corner. Coldman missed the difficult conversion.

In first half stoppage time, Blackburn kicked into touch and from the lineout caught the ball at the back and drove into the corner to score. The kick was missed.

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 8 - 12 Blackburn RUFC

Rochdale pressed forward into Blackburn territory early in the second half and were awarded several penalties - they opted to kick into the corners rather than go for the posts.

Blackburn gained possession just outside the Rochdale 22 metre line and began a rolling maul. Gaining momentum but still five metres from Rochdale line the maul was stopped and, to Rochdale’s disbelief, the referee deemed that the maul had been stopped illegally and awarded a penalty try to Blackburn. 

Rochdale dug deep and went at the Blackburn line and following a flowing move thought they had scored, but the referee disallowed the try for a double movement.

With time was running out for Rochdale, Bradley scored a consolation try in the corner to give Rochdale a bonus point. The kick was missed.