Liverpool Collegiate 27-10 Rossendale

Despite Storm Barry battering Rossendale on Saturday, it seemed that Liverpool had escaped the worse of it, as the pitch was in fine condition and the sun was out, just leaving a howling gale to contend with. Unfortunately, due to planned unavailability and last minute cry-offs, Rossendale travelled to Merseyside with just 15 players, but went on to give the hosts a very tough game that was much closer than the scoreline suggested.

The first half started badly for Rossendale when Callum Whelan took a knock and was unable to continue, leaving the visitors facing 65 minutes of playing with only 14. However, the forwards were exceptional, and really took the battle to the Collegiate forwards and their only real answer was to use the strong wind to kick for territory and keep the pressure on Dale that way - with the wind also disrupting the lineouts, it wasn't a bad tactic. Collegiate were on the scoreboard first after a kick through and good chase saw them break round the defence and score a try, well converted in the howling wind. Rossendale were soon on the scoreboard after a break through the Liverpool defensive line by Joe Bedlow, linking up with Oliver Molloy and back to Joe Bedlow to go over to score. Collegiate would have moved the scoreboard on soon after a break from Collegiate but were dragged down on the line with try-saving tackle from Alex Kilshaw. Soon afterwards though, Collegiate did break through to score. With the clock running down towards the end of the first half, Jordan Fortune threw himself towards a clearance kick, charged it down, then gathered the ball to romp over to score and end the half Liverpool Collegiate 12-10 Rossendale.

The half-time team talk for Collegiate changed their gameplan, trying to avoid combat in the forwards and spin the ball out to their quick backs. Unfortunately, Rossendale did not take advantage of the wind in their favour in this half, so did spend a lot of the game in the wrong half of the field. Jordan Fortune came close to scoring his second from a tap penalty, but was stopped by a Liverpool player who had not retreated the required distance to award Rossendale with another penalty and the offender seven minutes in the sin bin. However, Collegiate managed to snuff out this with some good defence. The lack of replacements took its toll as Rossendale tired playing up the hill, and eventually allowed Liverpool Collegiate to score three unanswered tries in the second half, making the final score Liverpool Collegiate 27-10 Rossendale.

It was a great performance from the lads, making another tough man of the match decision, but it was awarded to Hadley Newell, who imposed himself all over the field.