Rossendale U11s 21 - 21 Liverpool St Helens U11s

Rossendale Under 11’s coming of the back of a win a fortnight ago were up against a strong Liverpool St Helens team of which they had not previously beaten at their age group. So this weeks fixture was going to be a big game even though the team is much improved.

Rossendale played down the slope in the first half and the early exchanges were hard fought with the Rossendale forward causing a few problems for Liverpool side but having said that they defended well and kept Rossendale from scoring. It was end to end rugby with the Rossendale lads showing some great handling skills but the Liverpool side defending as well.

For all the pressure the Rossendale team applied it was Liverpool who scored first with a well taken individual try which was converted.
Rossendale fought back to even the scores just before half time after taking a Liverpool ball in the scrum and some fine passing which let Callum Whelan in for a try which was converted by Oliver Molloy.
After the restart for the second half it appeared that Liverpool were starting to get on top and were stopped from scoring by some fierce tackling from Oliver Molloy, but eventually Liverpool broke through and scored another converted try to lead 7 - 14. This seemed to spur the Rossendale lads on and they exerted a lot of pressure but could not break the defence and against the run of play Liverpool scored a fine solo effort try from there fly half which was converted to give them a 7 – 21 lead.

Rossendale stuck to their task and were rewarded themselves with a well taken try from Joe Simpson who was playing his first game for the club. Oliver Molloy stepped up and again converted.

Both sides at this point were in a full battle to try a get a result and when Oliver Molloy crossed for a try which he then converted the game was tied.

The closing moments of the game were hard fought and Rossendale tried so hard, twice being stopped inches from the line but could not convert the pressure into the winning score.

There were many plus points in this game; the lads commitment, tackling and handling skills were really good. It was really pleasing to see some of the less experienced players in the team playing there part in what was a great game.

Rossendale’s Most Improved player award on the day went to Joe Simpson and Rossendale’s Man of the Match was Oliver Molloy who had a superb game and led from the front also scoring 11 points.

Drawing against a side like this with a big squad is a great result and shows massive signs of improvement they have made over the last Year.