Ashton Under Lyne 14 Rossendale 43

Rossendale U11’s had a nice trip to Ashton Under Lyne which we enjoy every year and good weather a real bonus after all the recent rain. This year we were again given a great welcome by Andy and his lads who made this a great fixture.
The early exchanges were even until up stepped Oliver Molloy who had one of the best games we have seen. He ran in a great try and then duly converted
Rossendale’s scrum looked very strong and the front row will be a match for any team. Shaun Smallridge motivated the pack well and the Ashton pack struggled on their ball. Ashton struggled to get a good platform and Rossendale’s tackling kept the opposition on the back foot and this continued pressure turned over a lot of ball and this possession was duly converted.
Oliver Molloy scored two further tries one from near his own half. His darting runs, speed, leg drives, tackling and desire earned him a well-deserved man of the match. He also converted 2 conversions and narrowly missed two.
The pack was strong today and Jude Ferrie continues to shine with a strong performance with ball in hand and he made alot of yards. With his tackling getting much better he is our most improved player. This was backed up by Aidan Hopkinson who continues to improve in only his second match. Derek Bulling won some great ball in the maul and his love for the game is infectious.
Joe Simpson made some very strong runs today and he carried the ball and half of the opposition on his back very well nearly scoring on two occasions save for the fact that the referee could not see the grounding. He also made two magnificent try saving tackles that apparently they could hear in Ikea !
George Allen helped the game tick along with a fine display at scrum half and orchestrated the game well and he went over the line through a body of players duly shoved by the Rossendale pack.
Shaun and Natasha Smallridge coming back from a bout of illness made great comebacks with Shaun showing some great runs and scoring a well-deserved try. Natasha asked to play in the centre showed real grit and made some strong runs and tackles and almost scored but was stopped just short of the line
Rossendale’s attitude was spot on today from the changing room and this made a big difference. When we did go a try down the lads rallied round quickly and no more so than Callum who from the base of the maul ripped the ball and ran from just over half way to score a great try.
Rossendale are now playing with fire in their belly and playing with some true grit and bullied the play at time.
Ashton did show that we need to work on our tacking though as Gibbo ran through a number of the Rossendale lads to score two good tries and win a well-deserved man of the match for Ashton.
Nathan Tattersall made some strong runs and it was great to see him gain in confidence and tackles. Well done and a truly deserved most improved player.
Johnny Cobbett, Sam Green and Ellis Murray played well in the back line and our defence stayed true for much of the game. Ellis also struck two excellent conversions and continues to do well with the boot.
Rossendale still have plenty to work on our rucking was poor at times today and there was too much ball watching but with a 43 -14 win and still unbeaten we can have little complaints.
Well done to the lads who made the trip very worthwhile and entertained all the travelling supporters

Dizzey