SEDGLEY PARK COLTS 3 ROSSENDALE COLTS 26

They travelled to a rain sodden Whitefield based Park side and ran out comfortable winners by four tries to nil.

Their first try came from number Paul Hughes who crashed over from close range. Fly half Will Sharratt missed the conversion attempt. Despite the greasy ball and the treacherous conditions underfoot Rossendale dominated possession and territory. They won numerous scrummages against the head due to hooker Jamie Milton’s quick feet ably assisted by his fellow forwards. One such scrummage on the Park 22 metre line saw the solid combination of Tom Bedlow and Jack Bibby combining in similar fashion to last week’s try with the latter scything through the flat footed defence to touch down. Bedlow converted.

The next try was crucial to the outcome and it came through prop forward Jordan Lord who broke through the Sedgley’s defensive line in typical fashion to score. Bedlow again converted as the half time whistle blew. The second period saw the contest again somewhat one sided, with the valley side failing to increase their try tally.

On numerous occasions they squandered try scoring opportunities, with the wet ball being an obvious factor. Nevertheless some lazy forwards seemed to forget their jobs, that primarily their job is to win the ball for their back line. Hughes was replaced by Jack Broxup as coach Greenwood rung the changes. Matthew Ringland went to number 8 and himself and second row Matt Jackson led a forward drive to the line which culminated in Lord claiming his twelfth try of the season. Bedlow converted.

Sedgley snatched a penalty late on but Dale’s victory was never in doubt. It was a case of job done and three more points on difficult day for any quality running rugby.