Duckinfield 9/10s vs Rossendale 9s

Duckinfield 9/10s 6 – 6 Rossendale 9’s

Rossendale U9’s travelled to Duckinfield this Sunday for their first game since October. The weeks between having been spent in hard training after the defeat at the hands of West Park St Helens.

The game produced the best rugby played yet by the valley side, and pays testament to the determination and commitment of the team – showing more passion, discipline and grit against a talented side.

The game started with Duckinfield in the driving seat, scoring the 1st of their 6 tries after ‘Dale gave the ball away in the tackle and failed to re-organise their defence quickly enough, the home side seizing the chance to attack the disorganised visitors and take their chance well. Rossendale regrouped and replied immediately, captain Finlay McGrath the beneficiary of some good driving play to level the scores.

This was the pattern the half took, ‘Dale attacks ceding ball too often and Duckinfield pouncing on loose ball, and turning it into points – both sides scored twice more before the break to give a half time score of 3 – 3.

But with wisdom(?) imparted in the half-time team talk Rossendale emerged for the second period with the bit firmly between their teeth. Bullocking runs from man of the match Ethan Barnes knocked Duckinfield back time and again resulting in 2 scores for him, and one for Christian Wood; and many close calls.

Duckinfield, to their credit, weathered the storm and again poached plenty of ball to keep them in the game – their pacy runners tearing through the somewhat chaotic defence and take full advantage of slack ‘Dale tackling.

The game finished on a somewhat contentious point. With the referee attending to a wounded home player, play continued and a dubious pass found Duckinfields’ captain in space. His try was awarded, and deserved after he broke 4 tackles to plough through to the line. Heart broken at the prospect of the game being taken from them Rossendale replied with Barnes battering through the entire home side to claim his second and tie the match.

In hindsight a draw was probably a fair result, ‘Dale making too many errors both in attack and defence to claim a resounding victory – and Duckinfield being too alert to be beaten.

The team:

Charlie Farrow
Theo Cains
Christian Wood
Finlay McGrath(Capt)
Jonathan Latham
Charlie Creavey
Marley Askew
Lewis Wright
Ethan Barnes

Next week ‘Dale are on the road again, at Aspull – details tba – but will have to address the weaknesses of todays’ performance to “bring home the bacon”.

Remember chaps, run FORWARDS, pass BACKWARDS, KEEP THE BALL and if the ball goes to floor PUT A BODY ON IT. DEFEND IN A FLAT LINE & KNOCK THE MAN DOWN IN THE TACKLE.

Keep the faith chaps – HUSTLE, HIT, NEVER QUIT – victories aplenty are just round the corner, but we do have to go and get them – they don’t come easy…. ;-)

Coach Cains Viewpoint

Both teams played their socks off. The Duckenfield line-outs were rarely straight contrasting Farrow's surgical accuracy that lead to many Dale breaks. Scrums were disciplined and uncontested. The mini-flankers Wood and Marley supported well whilst the grit of Charlie added to Dale's power pack The creative running of Cains, chased hard by Lewis and Latham undoubtedly confused the tired opposition as Dale retraced backwards and surrendered position, lulling Duckenfield into a false sense of security All the boys worked hard mauls, that Rossendale invariably won with McGraff supprting Barnes as he triumphantly powered through a weaker team upfront to secure a moral victory and improved performance for all the team. Barnes won the game for Dale, man of the match and his first drinking competition! For their Rugby, both teams should be congratulated for a disciplined and sterling performance - start to finish