Rossendale too strong for Liverpool St Helens in this encounter

The Dale team were cautious about their opponents today as this was the team who stopped the lads with a 100% season a few years ago drawing with Dale 19-19 at Rossendale.
So this weeks training was all about a tough physical encounter.

Dale lost the toss and were forced to play up hill in the first half but it didnt seem to have much effect as the Dale lads strong running and hard rucking was always going to win the day for Dale.

It only took two minutes on the clock before Dale had settled their nerves with a well worked try and Joe Simpson crashing over for the five pointer.
From the resulting Kick off the ball was fielded and immediately returned through the hand for Aidan Hopkinson to finish the move off with a fifty meter run in.

Dale's forward domination continued and after losing the first three scrum against the head Liverpool St Helens opted for uncontested scrums due to the injury of a front row player. It was from a scrum where Dale shipped the ball out wide for Josh Howarth to take him self under the sticks for a try Converted by Molloy.

The pressure on the St Helen's team was growing from one phase to another and it was no surprise that Dale were soon marching forward and Number 8 Theo Balshaw stripped the defence for another good try

It was the forwards day and despite the attacking play from the backs there was always a forward to finish of the move the recipient this time was Joe Simpson going in for his second whilst carrying a player on his back over the line.

From the kick off the ball was fielded and passed to Jeremy Darrell deep in his 22 and he out stripped the whole of the opposition to score. That was the final whistle of the half and Dale had managed to score enough points by exceeding the 30 point maximum.

A training Game pursued but it was more of the same Darrell ending his match total with 5 tries, Joe Simpson with 3 Tries, Theo Balshaw with 2 Tries , and one a piece for Kieron Pearson, Josh Howarth, Aidan Hopkinson and Matthew Derbyshire.

Man of the Match for me went to Harry Todd for his continued improvements but for me today it was great to have Dylan Louie and Paul Nield both back from serious injuries and everyone putting in a great team performance.

The final score of the whole day ended up being 7-80 yes disappointing we let them score. I will not make to much of the fact that the forwards notched up an incredible 62 Points.