Rugby Union: Rochdale 2nds 22 - 29 Rossendale 2nds

Rochdale kicked off with the wind behind them and  took early advantage of the possession. Sustained pressure resulted in a penalty given for hands in the ruck. Harry Hayes seized the initiative taking the quick tap and forcing over 10 metres right of the posts. Clegg converted to make the score 7-0.

Five minutes later with Rossendale starved of possession and defending their own line another penalty was given for the Rossendale man on the ground attempting to trip the Rochdale player. A good step from father to be Kyle Parry saw him find the gap in defence. He was then driven over in the corner by his colleagues in the front 5. Clegg missed the conversion.

15 minutes in and Robinson was shown a yellow card for not retreating 10 metres at the penalty and delivering a big hit for good measure. The penalty was then reversed due to retaliation from the Rossendale winger coming 25 yards to deliver a shot in the back of the Rochdale man (Rossendale’s winger also receiving a yellow card). Clegg converted the penalty to make the score 15-0.

By this point the Rochdale line out was working well with Rob Wadsworth stealing two balls from his opposite number. However, a sloppy kick from Clegg saw Rossendale counter attack and put Rochdale under pressure on edge of 22. Rossendale could smell the try area but strong tackling and the awareness of Kieran Jackson saw Rossendale Penalised for holding on. A bloodied Rob Clegg cleared the line.

25 minutes in and the Rossendale team secured its first real sustained possession. A penalty was awarded for a high tackle from Redfern in the centre and a quick tap from Rossendale’s number 9 saw him scoot through unopposed from 35 yards to score under the posts. The try scorer then went on to convert the try himself to make the score 15-7.

Things were hotting up and from the kick off a strong tackle from Chris Hodge turned over the ball for Rochdale. A few minutes later though Redfern was turned over in the tackle. Harry Hayes was quick to correct the balance stealing the ball from the resulting ruck with the Rossendale pack appearing to be absent. Possession was short lived however in the following phase Hayes unlucky to drop the ball when looking for the offload.

Rochdale were looking to press their advantage before the half time break. Eyeing his opportunity Clegg attempted an ambitious drop kick which unfortunately fell 20 yards short but Rossendale’s full back spilled the ball. With just a few minutes to play in the first half, Rochdale had possession under Rossendale’s posts. Unfortunately they were unable to put more points on the board with the referee blowing the whistle for half time.

At half time the score was Rochdale 15 - 7 Rossendale.

Rossendale kicked off the second half with the wind to their backs. The ball travelled down the throat of Wolfenden and out the other side with a scrum awarded for knock on. 

Rossendale relished their new found possession and territory. A pick up at the base of the scrum and a carry from the number 8 was followed by strong carry from the prop forward. Harry Hill came to meet him in the tackle and was promptly sat down. Fortunately another error from the Rossendale number ten saw his third dropped ball of the game and the scrum went to Rochdale.

With the wind in his face Clegg failed to gain better field position and clear the Rochdale lines. Rossendale scored from the resulting line out with the full back crashing over in the centre of the pitch and the try was converted to bring the score to 15-14.

Rossendale had gained momentum and set up a driving maul after completing multiple phases. Rossendale’s cool composure and sustained possession allowed the prop forward to roll over the line to score an unconverted try. Rochdale’s lead was gone. 15-19

Rossendale were building in confidence and soon on the score board again. Directly from the kick off a blind side break from Rossendale’s winger saw him racing away to score another unconverted try right of the posts. Rochdale’s lead was now a happy memory.

Rossendale’s tails were up and the Rochdale team had lacked any ball in the second half. Rochdale were not beaten yet though and came back strongly with a 40 metre driving maul. The referees whistle blew and Rossendale were penalised for dropping the maul. This was closely followed by a penalty for a high tackle. Rochdale were 5 metres short and the pressure was beginning to tell. After repeated infringements from the Rossendale team Rochdale opted for the lineout. Ged Wolfenden crossed the line after a well organised move but the ref opted to award a penalty try instead which was allocated to Harry Hill.

Clegg converted and Rochdale were back in sniffing distance of the result. 22-24

Rossendale and Rochdale both wanted the victory and fractious play led to poor discipline. A tete a tete between Rossendale’s winger and Jack Holt of Rochdale led to an all out brawl. The referee showed a red card to the Rossendale winger and a yellow to Elliot Baker.

Rochdale continued to defend well and held the line clear for several phases. It was all for nought though as Rossendale exploited the overlap leaving Jack Holt all at sea and touching down in the left corner.

With one minute to go Rochdale made a valiant effort to tie the scores to no avail with possession being kicked away.

It was a game of two halves and perhaps if the game had been played on Rochdale's first team pitch the wind would not have played such a big role. Rochdale cannot be criticised for their work rate. The telling points were perhaps a lack of composure and some poor decision making at times. Rochdale were at their best with Hodge, Hayes, Hill and Wadsworth all working together as a unit. Turn overs came when the game lost structure and despite strong carries from Robinson and Redfern in the centre and some Sonny Bill style offloads the ball was sometimes lost too easily.

The final score was Rochdale 2nds 22 - 29 Rossendale 2nds