Newcastle Under Lyne Colts 14 Rossendale Colts 12

Whilst the home team were buoyed by recent comfortable victories Dale were slightly weakened by unavailability and injury,following last weeks defeat by Blackburn.

Nevertheless Rossendale had the chance to claim victory following two tries early in the second half. The languid centre Tom Bedlow went over for their first score with fly half Will Sharratt slotting the conversion. This was quickly followed by man of the match Sharratt going over for the second evading a couple of last gasp tackles in doing so. Bedlow missed the conversion.

Rossendale should have closed out the match from this point and deny Newcastle the ball. Alas they didn’t command either line out or scrum areas as they would have liked and in the loose where possession became a lottery especially with either side not knowing what the next referee’s decision would be. A scrum deep in their 22meter area saw Dale’s hooker Jamie Milton leave the field with concussion. Another scrum soon after saw Newcastle win the ball and for their number 8 to go over. The conversion was controversially not given so added to two earlier penalties gave the homeside a sniff of victory.

With minutes to go the referee penalised Rossendale’s backline for venturing offside,and to the delight of the home supporters Newcastles fly half made no mistake. There was no time for a Dale reposte and the final whistle saw their chance of winning the league snatched from them. A subdued journey home allowed the team to reflect on what might have been having been top dogs for so long.

Their thoughts now turn to the League Cup that is after Their final league game this Sunday at home to Ashton on Mersey ko 2.00pm