Cobras lay down marker

The first match of the Rochdale and District Riley Cup took place on Wednesday evening, when current Cup Holders Rochdale Cobras entertained Bolton University under the floodlights at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

BARLA Club of the Year Rochdale Cobras romped home in impressive style, combining their freshness from their winter break with a ruthless streak against an in-experienced Bolton University team that never gave up to win 62-0.
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Cobras new head coach Ged Cochran rotated his troops round on the night, as he gears the team up for the Riley Cup and Oldham Standard Cup Campaigns ahead of the new North West Mens League summer season launching in March.

Jo Qaniucui was impressive for the Cobras, and proved a point of contention as the large watching crowd, made up of Mayfield and Cobras supporters, were left debating his eligibility as he has just completed the interim season with Rochdale Mayfield in the National Conference League, a point that will be discussed at the next Rochdale and District committee meeting. There were numerous other stand out performers as players looked to impress the onlooking Rochdale Town Team selectors.

Bolton University, playing only their second full match, never gave up. Impressive performances form Orrel St James' John Padgett and Man of the Match Edet Otu were stand outs in a team that will only get better the more they play together.

Bolton University Captain, Ben Crew, said: “We have Westhoughton next and we are confident of getting something from that game. Yes we got beat 62-0 today but that was against a very well drilled team. We will work on a few bits and come back stronger I’m sure.”

The next scheduled Riley Cup fixture is on Saturday 3 December when Rochdale Town Team coaches Adam Browne and Leon Ashworth come head to head with Pennine League Littleborough entertaining Conference Alliance League Champions Rochdale Mayfield A in the first Group B match.

The game is sure to be a humdinger as local rivalries hot up and places in the Town Team for the upcoming fixtures against Rochdale Hornets and Fiji UK are at stake.