Rochdale Swarm appoint new head coach

The Rochdale Swarm Tag Rugby League Team has this week announced local amateur David Ramsbottom as head coach with immediate effect.

The appointment comes as a direct result of the link between the Swarm and the new Milnrow and Newhey Rugby League Club were Ramsbottom is part of the coaching set up.

Mr Ramsbottom said: "I`m really looking forward to working with the Swarm and helping develop what is already a success story for Rochdale Rugby League. This week alone we had well over twenty people at Firgrove for our Tuesday night training session which is fantastic and anyone who fancies a run out with us is more than welcome to join us just get yourself down to Firgrove 6.00pm start."

The Swarm are just about to enter a busy fixture period with games against the Rochdale Fijian Association, Oldham Supporters and the Wakefield City Webcats all in May.

This comes on the back of last Sunday's fixture against Tag Merit League title favourites and current run away league leaders the Hull FC Irregulars.

The match itself was almost a complete cameo of the Hornets V Hull FC cup tie played later that same day. Were honest endeavour wasn't enough against a highly skilled and experienced team.

The game started at a whirlwind pace with the Hull side spinning the ball wide at every occasion and it was only a matter of time before the dam broke with the Humberside outfit scoring two unanswered tries in the opening quarter.

The Swarm eventually found their feet and produced the best action of the afternoon when the scored a classic Rugby League try when First Dave Withington drove the ball deep into the Hull right flank then Scott Manock created a half break for Mark Wynn who gave a quick play the ball for new boy Alan Albertson to carve the Hull defence open for Full back Dave Tyson to scythe through, Scott Manock adding the extras.

The Swarm then traded scores with the Hull side when Ziggy Ahmed did one of his trade mark runs to scatter the Hull defence to score, again Manock added the two point bonus.
The second half saw the Swarm badly affected by injuries with five players having to leave the field to take no further part. Craig Nagy (knee) Dave Withington (calf) Chris wynn (ankle) Tony Haze (thigh) Jim Stringer (foot).

The injuries and the exceptional Hull team took their toll and the Irregulars ran away with the game finally running out 58-12 winners.

Scott Manock was awarded the Swarm Man of the Match and special mention to debutant's Brian Ashton in his first ever game of Rugby League at any level and John Shelmedine who comes all the way from Greenfield to play with the Swarm.