Broughton Park v Rossendale Sun 26th Jan

Broughton Park won the toss and elected to receive the kick off and ‘Dale captain Rowan Hopkinson landed a well weighted kick just short of the home teams 22. Rossendale were up quickly challenging for possession Elliot Newell and Haig Haworth unsettling their opposition giving rise to a knock on.

The Rossendale scrum has been one of their strong points this season so the Forwards were keen to size up their opposite numbers. Front row Nuri Stoner, Tyler Johnson and Reece Howarth settled immediately and provided the solid platform needed for the front eight to shove forward and give No: 8, Tom Moore the first of several opportunities to pick up from the back of the set piece and charge into the defensive line.

The Visitors maintained a concerted period of pressure, Jo Starkie and Ellis Williams pounced on any loose ball, Josh Beeken was sharp around the breakdown and fierce tackling from Dan Dunham and Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones snuffed out any attacking opportunities before they could build any momentum. As Rossendale forced their way closer to Broughton’s try line Wayne Stobbs took possession and very nearly grounded the ball only to be shoved across in-goal touch by two hefty backs.

After 12 minutes Broughton Park finally had a 22 drop out to relieve the pressure. They were quick to follow up and managed to win back possession and set up their own attack. As with many teams Rossendale have encountered this season the opposition boasted 2 or 3 players mature beyond their years who proved very difficult to stop and the home side wasted no time in feeding the ball to these powerful players and succeeded in running in their first try on 13 minutes, converting successfully.

Broughton Park repeated this formula to steal another three quick tries, this time with no conversions until Rossendale struck back just before half time after Rossendale were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on a marauding Will Whinton. Ten metres out, Bradley Watts took a quick tap and fed a charging Tom Moore who crashed over for a try, the angle was too severe for Rowan Hopkinson to convert and the Visitors ended the first half 5 to 27.

Broughton Park started the second half determined not to concede further points and they quickly brought their big players into the match scoring two more tries. Rossendale continued to battle hard and pound for pound they stood out as the better side their lighter and smaller players frequently bringing down and dispossessing their larger opponents. Bradley Watts proved elusive with ball in hand setting up a number of attacking options and Elliot Newell came very close to scoring. It was Tom Moore who once again crossed the line and gave the visiting supporters an opportunity to cheer their side.

The Home side crossed twice more before Bradley Watts earned a well deserved try from a penalty some 8 metres out before the game finally came to a close. Final score 45 – 17 .