Rossendale U11s 36 – 10 Colne & Nelson U11s

It was a pretty evenly matched game with good play from both sides, and was closer than the final score suggests. Despite playing uphill, the game started well for Rossendale when, after 2 minutes, Sam Irving crossed the line for Dale’s first try, with Luke Bartram taking the extras. Dale took the restart well and pressed on only to see Colne & Nelson steal the ball in their own 22 and run the length of the pitch to score. Quickly, Rossendale replied with a weaving run from Tom Unsworth, slipping several tackles to score Dale’s second try. Colne & Nelson were straight back at Rossendale and after several forays in to the 22, came back with their second try. Shortly before half time, some great forwards drives took the ball forward close to the Colne & Nelson try line, when the ball was taken by George Lawryshyn who went over to score. The conversion from Luke made the half-time score 19 – 10.

In the second half, with the slope in their favour this time, Rossendale built on the first half lead, with the first try of the half coming from some strong running by Ben Ludlam, who ran through to score himself. The next try saw Luke Bartram adding his second try after some good scavenging by the Dale forwards. Harry Brown rounded off the second half with a very well deserved try with the last play of the game. With the conversion from Ben Ludlam, the game ended 36 – 10. Rossendale are looking forward to the return fixture away at Colne & Nelson next weekend, and expect a tough rematch.

It was a very pleasing game with great performances from everyone on the team today. The tackling practice last week certainly paid dividends today, and in my opinion was the difference between the 2 teams – they were tackling high (not illegally high though!), whilst we were going in low, hard and with aggression and usually bringing them down, so well done all!

Harry Brown made a large amount of distance with the ball today, usually with 2 or 3 Colne & Nelson players hanging on to him, PJ had a very impressive performance for his first ever game of contact rugby, Luke Bartram really stepped up to his first game at prop, but Man of the Match goes to today’s captain, Sam Irving for his overall level of energy and leadership.