Fylde-Wirral-Rossendale Triangular - Wirral 12-10 Rossendale

Rossendale U14s travelled to Blackpool to play in a triangular competition against teams from Fylde and Wirral. Whilst the Dale lads lost both games by a single score, the whole competition was keenly contested between 3 closely matched teams, with an excellent spirit and some fantastic rugby on display.

The first game was between Rossendale and Wirral and started off brightly for Wirral with a deep kick off and them maintaining the pressure on the Rossendale defence for the majority of the first half. Only some excellent defence from the Dale lads, notably Jordan Fortune, Isaac Cornwall, Hashim Khan and Sam Irving, kept Wirral out. With both sides probing for defensive weaknesses, it was finally Wirral that breached the Dale defence with an unconverted try and the only score of the first half. Dale upped the intensity slightly as the second half started, and forced Wirral into conceding a penalty on the edge of their twenty-two. Rhys Tighe received the short pass and surged towards the line as the Wirral defenders gathered around him, eventually bringing him down one metre short. Hashim Khan picked up from the ruck, only to be brought down quickly offloading in the tackle to Ciaran Campbell, who stepped out then back in to cross the whitewash. The next try came fairly quickly afterwards from a scrum just inside the Wirral twenty-two. Mark Rutherford-Shaw picked up from the base of the scrum, exploiting the space down the blind side to burst through to score. Unfortunately for Rossendale, Wirral managed to sneak a final converted try in the final minutes to end the game Wirral 12-10 Rossendale.

As there were two matches, it was decided that there would be a forwards Man of the Match, awarded to Isaac Cornwall, and a backs Man of the Match, awarded to James WIllietts, although every player should be immensely proud of their performance, competing with two high quality teams.

Thanks to Fylde for their hospitality, and the lads and coaches from both teams for an excellent morning's rugby.