Rugby union: Rochdale Senior Colts 22 - 14 Kirkby Lonsdale Senior Colts

Photo: Bruce Myers

Garrett Myers carries hard

Rochdale were pleased to welcome Kirkby Lonsdale to Moorgate Avenue on Sunday 16 April for a friendly fixture. Both teams have cup finals next weekend and were keen to have a run out to maintain momentum. The visitors arrived at Rochdale with a large squad which Rochdale matched ensuring maximum participation across both teams.

Rochdale started strongly, moving the ball wide at every opportunity to encourage their wide out runners. This paid dividends when, in the first ten minutes, Rochdale were able to stretch the visitors’ defence before creating the overlap on the left and allowing Gabe Fraser a free run in down the wing (5-0).

Rochdale stuck to the expansive philosophy and soon had Kirkby under pressure again. After several close drives from the forwards, the spaces opened up on the outside and Nick Wright slipped between defenders to cross the whitewash (10-0).

Rochdale could probably have scored a few more tries in the first half but the final pass failed to hit the mark and the visitors were reprieved. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though, Kirkby had opportunities of their own but the strong Rochdale defence and several turnovers from Jacob Jackson halted their impetus. Rochdale managed a third try right on half time when a ricocheted kick landed in the hands of James O’Connell. O’Connell fended off a couple of would-be tacklers and galloped down the wing to score out wide (15-0).

Both teams made changes at half time but this didn’t appear to stifle Rochdale’s ambitions as, straight from the kick-off, they rucked the visitors off the ball allowing Aiden Lord to gather and burst clear. He was able to hand-off the fullback and carry a couple of defenders over the line for a fine individual try (22-0).

Rochdale continued to play an expansive game and created several more opportunities but were unable to convert these into points. Kirkby managed to get on the scoresheet when some quick thinking saw their scrum half dart round to touch down after the ball had crossed into the in-goal at the back of a Rochdale ruck. (22-7).

The teams were evenly matched now and the final try went to Kirkby after a Rochdale attack broke down just short of the visitors’ line. Kirkby kicked ahead and after several more kicks the ball was secured and moved to the right winger who scored in the corner (22-14).

All in all, it was an enjoyable game and a good run out for both teams. Excellent performances from forwards Garrett Myers, Jackson, Nathan Robinson, Ben Hankinson and Tom Drennan; and backs Will Simmons, Wright and Alex Dowd. Man of the match went to Drennan for some great break-down work and strong carries.

Also, good news from the Rochdale players in the Myerscough 7’s squad who were crowned AOC National Rugby 7's Champions on Sunday - congratulations to Olly Mills, Tom Hesketh, Zac Baker and Ben Sunderland.

Sean Sunderland