Hard endeavour sweat and toil in the Sun

Its a funny old game. Off the back of how badly we played last week yet won through to the Lancs cup final to this week where we struggled to get numbers on the field got beaten and yet played with a lot more intensity and style than we have shown for a while. Its wasn't all sweetness and light . The pinching of the ball by the opposition from the rucks is something we have to cut out. Perhaps a little bit er a lot more aggression around those areas will help prevent that as well as the speed we must try and hit the rucks. Having said that we did some great cleaning out work at times and moved a good opposition from off the ball on more than a few occasions. Additionally we had the ball swiped out of our hands a number of times which again put us on the back foot. There is an easy answer to this problem , Hold the ball tighter and dont let go of it. This is a basic error and we really shouldnt be doing it so many times during a game.
Bolton had twenty Under 18's to call upon today. With the weather being sunny and hot that gave them a big advantage over our meagre numbers and played its hand through the numerous interchanges they could make to rest players as the heat took some toll. It wasn't just their squad number either. There was some big powerful units out there and the Bolton lads had a decent amount of skill sets going for them as well. Despite nearly losing our nerve prior to the game by being psyched out by their physical presence it was the Dale lads who started strongly and bravely. We took the ball into contact and once we realised that we had the upperhand Rossendale started to play and oh how we started to play. From some excellent forward drives the ball was played out wide just into the Bolton half Jordan created some space and an opening for Ciaran to run a beautiful line through. A lovely draw and pass to Callum Pelling backing up down the touchline resulted in the Bolton defence struggling across to take Callum out but not before he made a superb off load back inside to the supporting Mr Campbell who graciously took on the final ten metres and take the ball under the sticks. A fine try and a contender for Try of the season. Wonderful handling and support play through the backs... we have missed that and I'm glad its back.
Following Wills conversion to make it 7-0 it then became a half where really we had our backs against the wall and had to endure onslaught after onslaught during which Bolton scored three tries , two conversions and a penalty goal. We didn't let them have it all their own way. Some excellent tackling particularly around the centres , Jordan with some massive massive hits and combining very well with Ciaran to stifle out attack after attack. Jacob added his two pence worth as well with some great scrambling defence all over the field.
It was 22 - 7 at the turn around. If we thought the lads were courageous in the first then the second half should see them awarded medals. Bolton made about 6 changes at half time so a lot of fresh legs came on. We were guilty of making a few unenforced errors which put us on the back foot and conceded an early try in the half but we soon started to fight back and in true fashion for our team never gave up the fight. The probing runs from the centres with Jordan taking the ball up like a Trojan ( not the virus type) and Ciarans ability to run perfect lines coupled with Jacobs non stop running really made a mark on Bolton but we couldn't just get through the final hurdle. Will kept probing from ten and both Callum P and Max tested the defence in various parts of the field. Our forwards toiled and toiled and the defensive efforts in keeping out the big quick pack of Bolton certainly took its toll on our attacking capability through them. Our scrums remained superb throughout .
There were no further scores in the game and so it ended 29-7. We were still battling bravely to the end and nobody can walk away with their heads held in shame. I was actually far happier with our game play and skill set ( particularly through the backline) than I was of last week and their was no faulting our effort and commitment. It was a hell of an effort but we must work on our sloppiness in losing the ball to avoid making it so hard for ourselves.
Our line speed and over all tackling was immense today despite what the score line says.

Man of the match

Several contenders but amongst others : Cole- tenacious as always and scrambled to win lost ball at every opportunity. Hadley- Superb work rate , tackling and never give up. Ciaran - wonderful try , delightful running and hard in defence. But over all Jacob T got my final vote. He was awesome in everything he did today.

Epilogue

Well done all and hard luck. I'm sure all the supporters thoroughly enjoyed the match . We had a lot of positive feedback from the Bolton management and referee about our efforts. A great tribute to play against a decent side like that in hot conditions with only 13 men.
Onwards and upwards. We look forward to our Lancashire Cup Final. Come on the Dale