Rossendale U14s 5 - 22 Eccles U14s

Eccles U14s were the visitors to Marl Pits and came with a reputation as one of the strongest teams in the area, but the Rossendale lads are also riding high on the back of a couple of wins against excellent oppositions, so the stage was set for a very interesting game.

The game started with both sides looking to get the upper hand, but neither side could make a breakthrough for the first minutes or so. It was Dale that opened the scoring, after an excellently won scrum against the head on the Eccles 22 metre line, picked up at number 8 by Mark Rutherford-Shaw down blindside to breach the Eccles defence and score. It was Eccles that scored next, with a run at the Rossendale defens, and unfortunately through several missed tackles to score a converted try. With another Eccles try following shortly afterwards, it looked as though the tide was turning towards the visitors. However, the Rossendale lads rallied, and continued to put up a stout defence right up to half time, when Eccles crossed the whitewash on the last play of the half, to end it Rossendale 5 - 17 Eccles.

The second half restarted in a similar vein, with Eccles applying plenty of pressure but Rossendale defending well. Eccles very nearly scored when their quick winger received the ball and hared down towards the Dale goal area but was halted by James Willetts who had used his blistering pace to get back and get in a try-saving tackle. A few minutes later, another excellent try-saving tackle by Callum Pelling just short of the line kept Dale in the game. Eccles did manage to take one try in the second half, making the final score Rossendale 5 - 22 Eccles.

Rossendale's man of the match award went to Mark Rutherford-Shaw, for his total commitment and effort throughout the game, rounded off by getting his name on the scoresheet.

Overall it was a good performance against a team 2 pools higher than us in the Blacksticks and very pleasing from a coach's perspective to see the lads stick at it. In the end, despite the effort, aggression and commitment put in by all the lads, our lack of experience showed. We gave Eccles a good game and hope that we are all continuing to learn on this journey where we will keep challenging the lads with tough oppositions.