Rossendale Senior Colts 24 - 19 Whitchurch Senior Colts

The new Halbro North West Senior Colts Preliminary Leagues started this weekend when Whitchurch visited Marl Pits for the first time. It was to prove a close encounter with Rossendale eventually taking the bonus-point win with a four tries to three victory. The larger squad size of Rossendale was both an advantage as Whitchurch tired, but also a disadvantage as ensuring the whole squad gets good amounts of game time meant it was hard to create any periods of continuity.

The first twenty minutes looked to be going Rossendale's way, with a number of opportunities being created, the best of which resulted in Oliver Molloy crossing the whitewash but being held up over the line. The pendulum seemed to shift to the visitors, who started to apply pressure and using the wind and slope in their favour. A well-placed kick rolled through to the Rossendale in-goal area, and the Whitchurch winger reacted quickly when the Rossendale defence did not and dabbed down the first try and only score of the first half.

Rossendale hoped to maximise the benefit of the slope in the second half, but Whitchurch scored quickly to take a 12-0 lead. Rossendale soon went over after some dominant work in the scrum and a couple of phases saw Paul Nield barrel over to score. Soon afterwards, Rossendale scored what may become a candidate for try of the season which started with a jinking run from Will Walmsley on Dale's twenty-two to give the back line the opportunity to stretch its legs, moving through the hands of Theo Balshaw and Ciaran Campbell before getting to Oliver Molloy to sprint in under the posts, allowing Will Walmsley to add the extras. It looked like the floodgates could open with more quick ball through the phases, with Oliver Molloy again making a darting run, feeding Will Walmsley and eventually allowing Idrees Nazir to sprint half the length of the pitch to score, with Will Walmsley converting. However, Whitchurch did not lie down, and played good tactical rugby and responded with more urgency to a ball kicked through and added a converted try to level the scores. With just a couple of minutes left on the clock, a clever cross field kick from Will Walmsley saw Oliver Molloy outjump his opponent to catch the ball, then feed Jacob Taylor who sprinted down the wing to score the bonus point try and seal the victory, Rossendale 24-19 Whitchurch. Rossendale's Man of the match went to Cole Lanigan for another terrier-like performance around the field.

Thanks to the lads, coaches and supporters from Whitchurch for making the long journey from Shropshire to Lancashire and for a close enjoyable game.