Rochdale Swarm outmuscled by strongarm tactics

Sunday saw Tag Rugby League's newest club, Rochdale Swarm, take on its oldest club in the shape of Leigh MB XIII at the impressive setting of the new Leigh Sports Village.

The match itself saw the Swarm slip to a 44-10 defeat in what turned out to be a fairly bruising encounter for the new boys.

From the kick off the Leigh tactic was to push the contact rules to the maximum but initially their plan backfired as the Swarm kept to a disciplined game plan and playing out their tackles their patience was rewarded when the Swarms full back Dave Tyson scythed through the Leigh defensive line to score the opening try of the game. Scott Manock then add the extras to give the Swarm an unexpected lead.

From the kick off the Leigh side targeted the Swarm's young winger, Emily Wynn, and as she returned the kick was met with a full blown shoulder charge much to the anger of the Swarm players. The referee awarded a penalty to the Rochdale side but took no further action which resulted in even more aggressive play by Leigh. The Swarm did come close to scoring again when their hooker Chris Wynn intercepted some 30 metres out but was tackled inches short of the line.

With the Swarm's half backs of Manock and Burgess suffering most from a series of off the ball challenges, the Rochdale Side lost a lot of its shape which resulted in Leigh posting a brace of unanswered tries to take a 12-6 lead at the quarter mark.

Into the second quarter and the Leigh side pressed home their dominance and scored three tries which gave the game a half-time score of 28-6.

The second half saw the Swarm regroup and begin to play some good rugby but again the Leigh side resorted to aggressive play with first Dave Withington and then Mark Wynn being taken out off the ball - the referee acted this time and dispatched a Leigh player to the sin bin for the challenge on Wynn.

The Swarm then had their best period of the match, Craig Nagy scoring a superb solo try, after the Swarm had gone close through Ahmed, Withington and Wynn. Nagy should have scored again but was held back in the act of scoring, the Swarm would have gladly taken the try, instead they had to make do with a tap penalty.

Injuries to Bocock and Nagy stifled the Swarm and Leigh then pushed hard for the win, playing their best rugby of the afternoon, spinning the ball out wide coming close to scoring out wide, but the Swarm left wing pair of Ste Mason and Lauren Pilkington Steele holding firm with Pilkington Steele tackling one of the Leigh players to stop a certain try. On the other flank Matt Butler stood firm alongside subs Maria and Nichola Wynn.

With the Rochdale side struggling for numbers the dam eventually broke with Leigh running in a few late scores - the final score, 44-10, flattering Leigh.

Mark Wynn of the Swarm said: "Everyone involved with the Swarm was thrilled with how the team performed against one of the best Tag teams in the Merit League and we look forward to our next fixture against Hull in April.

"Training for the Swarm resumes on Tuesday at Firgrove, Milnrow 6-7pm. Everybody welcome, new players, supporters and volunteers always welcome."