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Rochdale 30 - 5 Rossendale

23/ 9/2008

ROCHDALE coach Mick Gould was delighted with his team’s performance at Bamford on Saturday as they overcame a lively Rossendale side.

The youngsters in the team came up to scratch, and once again they had far too much pace for the visitor’ backs as they provided spectators with a treat of open, running rugby.

None of this would have been possible without good possession, and the pack should claim the credit.

They had a terrific struggle to hold the robust Rossendale pack in the first half, but when fitness levels began to count it was the hosts who dominated in the scrums and finished the game driving their opponents backwards in the set pieces.

Neil Sunderland, Dominic Greenhalgh and Tom Callaghan were immense in the front row, while Tom Helliwell and Leo Freschou took good lineout possession to keep the score ticking over.

Rochdale took the lead with a penalty from Steve Collins after the visitors had killed the ball in the tackle.

Rossendale then showed their hand, namely to get the ball in the Rochdale 22 metre area and use their big forwards to batter their way over.

They went close several times but couldn’t break down the home defence.

It took a five-yard scrum for them to get over the line, their big number eight Damien Collins picking up to burst in for an unconverted try.

Rochdale hit back with a sweeping move that took the ball into the visitors’ half.

A freekick by Collins put the ball in the corner and it was Rochdale’s turn to use their forwards.

They took the ball to the line and then released it to their backs. Daz James threaded a great pass through some heavy traffic, while Steve Collins had the Rossendale backs at sixes and sevens, and when Jonny Mair came on the burst on the inside he took ball and man to crash his way over near the posts.

Collins added the extras. A Collins’ penalty on half time sent Rochdale in with a 13-5 lead.

As expected Rossendale came out with all guns firing and again put Rochdale under pressure. But they were unable to split the home defence, and with the back row of Bradwell, Riddle and Hartley putting in some big hits they made little headway.

Rochdale centre Ben Cullen had to leave the field due to a shoulder injury. Callum Mulkeen went to centre, and Phil Cowburn came onto the wing. What an impact he had on the game.

Collins kept moving the ball out wide, and with fullback Rob Blackburn coming into the line they created overlaps at will.

Cowburn was not to be denied. He took the ball in his own half, beat his winger on the outside, ran the ball to the fullback, and chipped it through to beat the defence and touch down.

Rossendale, to their credit, never gave up and tackled well. But with their pack flagging they struggled to get the ball moving in the backs.

The best move of the game saw Collins get his backs running from well within their own half.

The ball passed through eight or nine pair of hands to winger Cowburn who skinned his winger on the outside, and the fullback, to scamper 50 metres for a converted try.

Rochdale go to Sandbach this coming Saturday, kick-off 3pm.