Blackpool RUFC 7 - 28 Rossendale RUFC

Jack Whittaker, captain for the day, won the toss and elected to kick off. Rossendale had practised hard in the week on their ball retention and straight from the kick off tracked down the ball carrier. Tackle after tackle pinned Blackpool in their own half and some superb rucking from the forwards gave Rossendale the steady platform to attack that they had not had since the first game of the season.
Much of the pre-match talk from the lads was about the greater size of the Blackpool players. This was further discussed when in the very first scrummage, Rossendale were pushed off their own ball. However a quick talk from the coaches at the next break in play, about binding tight and working as a unit, gave the Rossendale forwards that extra edge and at the very next scrum they pushed Blackpool off their own ball. This allowed Joe Bedlow, scrum half for the day, to make the break and put Rowan Hopkinson through in to space. This should have been the first try of the day, but Rowan was stopped in his tracks, as he changed direction, by an unintentional high tackle. At the resulting penalty, Rowan returned the favour to Joe, putting him into space to score the first try. Rowan stepped up to slot the conversion.This was to be the only score of the first half which Rossendale dominated but were unable to convert into points.
The coaches half time team talk was simple. If we didn’t let Blackpool score we would win the game.
The team took note and carried on from where they had finished the first half. The rucking was second to none, and special mention about the line outs. Although we have not practised much line out play, some accurate throw ins from hooker Jack Flanagan, to the powerhouse second row of Tyler Johnson and Noah Taylor meant we secured all of our own ball and with prop forwards Sam Ashworth and Nuri Stoner crashing through on the opposition ball, the line out battle was won.
It was from one of these set plays that Rossendale were able to pass the ball out wide , through most of the backs hands, to full back Jack Whittaker, looping on the outside and beating 3 men with his pace to score in the corner. Up stepped Rowan to once again slot the conversion.
This second try seemed to spur Rossendale on and some strong rucking and mauling from the forwards allowed good, clean ball for scrum half Joe Bedlow to sprint through a gap for his second try of the day, once again converted by Rowan.
Blackpool rang the changes and brought on their subs. This seemed to give Blackpool more attacking power with the fresher legs and despite some excellent tackling ,from the centre partnership of Haig Howarth and Oliver Leah, and dynamic wingers Dan Dunham and Connor Ferguson, Blackpool managed to cross our line for a try which was duly converted.
Rossendale finished the game off in the last play, when once again some good passing to players in space allowed Rowan Hopkinson to scamper through for a try in the corner which he converted for 4 out of 4 kicks at goal.
MOM went to Sam Ashworth for his tremendous effort around the park and awesome mauling.
Best forward went to Nuri Stoner for his rucking and also awesome mauling.
Best back went to Captain Jack Whittaker for his outstanding tackling and pace into the line from full back.