Rossendale 68-0 Oxton Parkonians

Parkonians travelled to Rossendale with only 12 players, but were lent a couple of players to make 1 14 v 14 competition, but Rossendale were in the mood to win and set out to make sure of that. Rossendale looked lively from the outset, with quick ball from the breakdown, good decision-making, accurate passing across the line and a fast defensive line. After 5 minutes, Ben Ludlam stole the ball at a tackle and sprinted towards the try line; he was tackled about 15 metres out, but Morgan Cornell was on hand to receive the offload and break through the scrambling defence to score, with Henry Wilby adding the conversion. At the subsequent restart, Isaac Cornwall received the kick and sprinted through the oncoming defensive line, and continued all the way to the try line to score. Shortly afterwards, Callum Pelling took the final pass from a well-worked backs move to sprint in to score. In a repeat of his earlier score, Isaac Cornwall again fielded the restart kick, crashed through the defence and sprinted through to score under the posts. Mark Rutherford-Shaw was next to score, after stealing the ball from a Parkonians lineout in Dale's half, then sliced through the defence to run 50 metres to score, with Callum Pelling adding the extras. The next score gave Will Peel his first try, after the ball was shifted from a series of phases down the right before being spun across the back line for the left winger to sprint over to score. The final try of the first half came from a surging run from Jacob Taylor, from inside his own half, deceiving the final defender and through to score under the posts, converted by Callum Pelling.

Soon into the second half came a great break through in the centres and as the tackle came in, Dominic Martin had galloped in support and was rewarded with an easy run in try, with Henry Wilby converting. The next try belonged to the forwards, after a catch and drive made them twenty metres, then Hadley Newell peeled from the maul and beat several defenders to score, again converted by Henry Wilby. The final try came from Idrees Nazir from a run down the right wing with Henry Wilby converting, to end the game Rossendale 68-0 Oxton Parkonians. Man of the Match was awarded to Alex Kilshaw, for dominant performance at scrum half, barking out the orders and coordinating the game well.

Thanks to the Dale lads who took their turn playing for Parkonians, and thanks to the lads and coaches from Oxton for the game.