Rugby Union: Rochdale RUFC 20 - 29 Carlisle

Rochdale RUFC

Rochdale welcomed newly promoted Carlisle to Moorgate Avenue on a wet afternoon and with key Rochdale players still missing due to injury, Carlisle took the victory in a hard fought game.

Rochdale coach Mick Gould had to ring the changes but welcomed back second row Gui de Sousa to strengthen the pack and Adam Derbyshire on the wing.

In the opening minutes a good break by Josh Schofield and James Willetts was stopped just short of the Carlisle line, forcing the visitors into conceding a penalty in front of the posts that Ollie Coldman took with ease.

Carlisle looked dangerous going forward but too much kicking deep cost them the ball and it was not until the 10th minute that they strung a good passing move together to score in the left corner. The conversion was missed.

Rochdale were soon back on the attack, but keeping the ball in hand seemed a problem for both sides.

Ollie Coldman managed to break through the visitor’s defence, supported by James Duffy and Schofield, and again Carlisle were penalised for off side on their own 22 metre line. Coldman took the kick well and Rochdale were back in the lead.

Despite good defence in the centre of the field both sides looked like scoring when the ball went wide and when Carlisle moved the ball wide, their centre Dan Holmes just sneaked over the line. The conversion followed.

As the rain swept in both sides used the boot to clear their defences with mixed success. Duffy’s clearance to half way was taken by in by Carlisle and following a good drive they were well in the Rochdale half when they got a penalty that brought the play into the 22. From the line out the ball fizzed across to the winger who raced in to score. The conversion was successful.

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 6 - 19 Carlisle

A scrappy start to the second half saw lost line outs by Rochdale and continued kicking from Carlisle, much to the annoyance of their travelling support.

Despite good tackling from Rochdale's Gui de Sousa and Harry Hill, Carlisle struck from close range. After winning a scrum on the Rochdale five metre line the ball was shipped out wide for the winger to score in the corner. The resulting kick was missed.

Minutes later it was a rampant Carlisle that ran in their fifth try of the day.

Rochdale, led by Ollie Coldman, James Duffy and the rampaging Gui de Sousa, battered the Carlisle defence and it was Coldman who finally squeezed over for a well deserved try. The conversion left it at 29-13 with less than five minutes to go.

Josh Scofield with a mazy run from the 22 carved open the Carlisle defence and out pacing the winger he scored a great solo try. Converted with ease by Coldman.