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Blues face drop after play-off defeat

Neil Goulding
26/ 4/2005

ROCHDALE have been relegated from the Men's North of England League Premier Division after a shock defeat at the hands of Sheffield Steelers.

The Redbrook boys were humbled 12-10 by their Division Two opponents in a play-off at the weekend and now face a fight next season to get back into the top flight.

"It's been a very tough season," admitted Rochdale chairman Allan Collingwood. "We've seen two teams relegated which is disappointing, and at the moment it's hard to say how we will respond next season."

Collingwood believes Blues have only got themselves to blame after a poor run of results, with 16 defeats in 18 matches.

He added: "I don't know whether it will be a good or a bad thing that we've been relegated. The players were very down in the changing room after the match, but Sheffield deserved to win."

Midfielder Ben Lyon led the way for Steelers at Bridgefold Road, with Mark Coups on the scoresheet with a hat-trick.

Rochdale trailed 10-4 going into the final quarter, but despite further goals from Sam Noble, who scored twice, Martin Garner and Rob Nugent the South Yorkshire side triumphed.

Collingwood continued: "We started well enough, but Sheffield settled after a nervy start and they really came out of their shells with belief they could win.

"We were very indisciplined in the third quarter and they took advantage. When you get six goals behind it's always going to be very difficult to come back."