Last gasp try for Rochdale RUFC secures the Lancashire Trophy

Rochdale RUFC 19-16 Broughton Park
Rochdale RUFC captain Rob Neave is buried under a pack of Rochdale players having powered over the line for the winning try

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Rochdale RUFC 19-16 Broughton Park

Rochdale RUFC won the Lancashire Trophy in a superb game against Broughton Park. Trailing with literally seconds to play, captain Rob Neave forced his way over the line for the try that won the cup!

Rochdale were second best in the first half to a resolute and determined Broughton Park and could perhaps count themselves fortunate they went into the half time break only 0-3 down - the Broughton penalty converted by Ronan O'Brien.

Conditions were difficult with persistent driving rain but that didn't spoil what turned into a tremendous battle in the second half.

Rochdale took the lead with a try from James Flitcroft, converted by Richard West.

Broughton were being pinned back by Rochdale and the constant pressure told as they conceded two penalties in succession but West's attempts missed and the game remained tight at 7-3.

Ross Hartley then crossed the line for Rochdale and the lead was stretched to 12-3.

This spurred Broughton into action and a try by Mark Flynn gave them the chance of the lead but O'Brien failed to convert, 12-11.

Despite Broughton's best efforts as they pushed hard for the score that would give them the lead, the Rochdale defence stood firm until a dreadful error just ten minutes from time.

A Broughton kick took the ball close to the Rochdale line and should have been kicked clear, but inexplicably the Rochdale man held on, got caught in possession and the loose ball was picked up by Broughton's Mike Butt who had an easy task to jog over the line. O'Brien failed with his conversion attempt but Broughton now led 12-16, and the game was set up for a thrilling finale.

Rochdale threw everything they had at Broughton in the last ten minutes, defying tired and aching limbs and appalling weather they pressed and forced Broughton into conceding a series of penalties close to the Broughton line. Captain Neave, opting to kick for touch or scrum down, due to little time being left on the clock and the three points available for a penalty kick not being sufficient to overhaul Broughton's lead.

The first three pushes for the line were repelled by a resolute Broughton defence, but with under a minute left to play, Broughton conceded another penalty.

With the crowd screaming for a penalty try, Rochdale saved the referee's blushes as captain, Rob Neave powered over the line to the delight of his fellow players and the vociferous Rochdale crowd. West converted and as the referee blew the final whistle, the ground erupted, Rochdale had won at the very last play.

Speaking to Rochdale Online in the dressing room, hero of the day, Rob Neave, said: "We left it very late but we never gave up and that was the key.

Asked how it felt as victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat in the final seconds, Neave was lost for words, saying: "I can't find the words to express how good it felt, a mixture of relief and exhilaration."