Brave Rossendale overwhelmed by Grasshoppers

Preston Grasshoppers were Rossendale U11 visitors to the Marl Pits Ground this Sunday morning & they proved worthy winners with a strong second half performance that underlined their status as one of the toughest sides in the league.

Weather conditions were deplorable with an icy wind sending a blanket of snow billowing across the pitch.

The first half was very evenly contested and despite an early strike by the Grasshoppers the Rossendale defence kept the visitors at bay until eventually after a period of sustained pressure they scored their second try of the half. Good tackling by Dan Dunham & Haig Howarth kept the home side in the game until Rowan Hopkinson was able to cross the try line & close the gap to 5 - 10 (conversions were not attempted due to the weather conditions)

The young bucks enjoyed some good possession for the remainder of the half, Nathan Waddington at Scrum Half was fierce around the scrum & gave his opposite number little time to settle. The forwards rucked aggressively & both Sam Ashworth & Tyler Johnson won good ball for their team. Noah Taylor in particular was in good form & made some piercing runs. Rossendale were unlucky not to equalise during this period after Joe Bedlow, determined as ever, ripped the ball from an opponent in the maul, feeding Elliott Newall who made ground before passing to Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones, he charged at the Preston Grasshoppers defence & was brought down, but an alert Josh Beeken was on hand to pick up the loose ball & maintain the pressure passing to Oliver Leah on the wing who was eventually bundled into touch ending the first half.

Preston Grasshoppers came out determined to dominate the second half & had 2 try's on the board within as many minutes. The Rossendale defence tried to keep their heads up despite the worsening weather & freezing fingers but were unable to prevent their opponents running in 4 more try's. to give a final score of 5 - 40.

Man of the Match: Noah Taylor
Back of the Match: Dan Dunham
Forward of the Match: Sam Ashworth

Final score Rossendale 5 - Preston Grasshoppers 40.