Cobras go unbeaten to lift cup

The Rochdale Cobras were names winners of the Riley Cup following the tournaments final round held at the Castleton Sports centre.

The competition has taken place on a Thursday night for the last three weeks and was contested by Rochdale Mayfield NWC, Littleborough, Rochdale Cobras 1st and 2nd teams.

After the nine mini games in the Riley Cup the points were added up and the eventual and convincing winners were Rochdale Cobras first team with 16 points.

The Cobras played nine games, won seven drew two and didn’t lose a single fixture, scored 31 tries and only conceded 3.

Ryan Blake the player coach of the Cobras was happy but knows his team have a long way to go, he said: “We played some good stuff over the nine games and should be very proud however in parts we also played some awful rugby and were lucky to get a draw against our second team in the first round and also the win against Mayfield in the second round on Firgrove but that said the squad knows if we play to our strengths and stick together we can give any team a game.”

Mr Blake continued: “Cups like this are good for the town, its gives us coaches a good luck at our new players and also keeps the camaraderie up between the town’s different clubs. Ryan Bradley, The Rochdale RL, Sammy, Ben and all involved should be very proud of what’s gone on and let’s hope all clubs can do the same next year”.

The Riley Cup was not the only silverware up for grabs the Joe Kershaw man of steel award was keenly contested and went to the stand out player; this was picked by the organisers and the referees and went to Dominic Kershaw from Littleborough who had a great tournament.