Rossendale U11s - Ashton undermined

Ashton-under-Lyne hosted Rossendale U11s at their St.Alban's ground this Sunday morning. Considering the recent weather, the pitch was in remarkably good condition. The opposition coach did apologise for the odd puddle but the Rossendale coaches brushed the remark aside stating they were not proper puddles like in Rossendale this morning as "you can walk round them".

Rossendale captain Nathan Waddington got the game underway, kicking off deep into the oppositions half with the Rossendale forwards following up to begin a period of sustained pressure on the Ashton defence, maintaining possession from one passage of play to the next, competently rucking & recycling the ball. Eventually from a maul just inside the Ashton half Joe Bedlow ripped the ball clear & finished a determined run to score the first of his hat-trick of try's. Tyler Johnson converted for two extra points.

From the restart Ashton drove at the Dales defence & but for a fierce last gasp tackle from Dan Dunham would have levelled the scores. From the resulting line out and accurate throwing from Fin Wilby Rossendale got possession allowing Tyler Johnson to run the ball back at Ashton and although tackled he placed a well timed pass to Rowan Hopkinson who, unaware that blood was streaming from his nose after an earlier collision, forced his way over the Ashton try line. Tyler Johnson once more converted.

Rossendale continued to pressure Ashton & enjoyed much of the possession for the remainder of the first half. This was mainly due to excellent rucking work by the forwards & their dominance in the scrum, forcing the opposition pack backwards on almost every occasion. The pressure paid off once more when Joe Bedlow made ground in the centre & was able to feed Noah Taylor,who's quick hands gave Elliott Newell a chance to charge down the wing, who despite fierce tackling from the Ashton defence managed to find Nuri Stoner who's strength took him over the try line for Dales third try. Tyler Johnson converted once more.

Ashton did fight back & were thwarted only inches out, once again by staunch tackling from full back Dan Dunham. Rossendale forced their way back into the Ashton half, Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones was able to power his way to the hosts try line & although held up released the ball to Joe Bedlow, who deftly completed the move, to close the first half with the visitors four try's ahead. A rare miss for Tyler Johnson on the conversion.

Rossendale fielded the kick off & were immediately under pressure from a revitalized Ashton side. They kept Dale pinned in their own half for a good ten minutes. During this period Joe Bedlow moved to full back after Dan Dunham sustained a blow to the head. Oliver Leah & Haig Howarth confounded Ashton attempts to score, tackling resolutely.

Thanks once more to good work at the scrum & fast thinking from Josh Beeken at scrum half, Rossendale managed to manoeuvre their way out of danger. A strong run from Tyler Johnson & powerful support from Sam Ashworth, set up a maul, once more enabling a rampant Joe Bedlow to unleash another potent run to break the Ashton defence and score his third try. Tyler Johnson converted to secure the full seven points.

Ashton deserve praise for keeping their heads up & were eventually rewarded when they pounced on a loose pass close to the visitors try line to score their first try. Encouraged by their success the hosts launched a series of attacks recycling well, almost scoring in the corner but for a tackle from Joe Bedlow deemed high by the Referee. From the resulting penalty Ashton scored their second try. Both try's were competently converted.

The last word went to Rossendale, who after working their way up the field and once more securing the ball at the ruck were able to release Nuri Stoner to use his power to score his second try. Nathan Waddington was unlucky not to convert in the final kick of the match.

Congratulations to all team members including the coaches who's training regimes are beginning to bear fruit.
Man of the Match went to Captain Nathan Waddington for stepping up to the mark at his new position of scrum half, and converting all his hard work at training on to the match day pitch.

Final score Ashton-under-Lyne 14 - Rossendale 38