A great all round team performance

Blackburn U11 V Rossendale U11

Blackburn who have not previously been beaten by Rossendale at this age group was going to give the confident Rossendale their sternest test of the season.
The conditions were far more suited to flying kites than playing rugby but the Rossendale team were up for this game and realised this was a chance to overturn a good team.
Due to the large squad that Blackburn have at this age level it was decided that we were going to play two games of twelve minutes each way this obviously giving a massive advantage to the home team who could replace players at will having two players to every Rossendale player.
The first half of the first game saw Rossendale playing downhill and from the kick off applied pressure on to the Blackburn forwards.
The Rossendale front row has really started to look strong unit over the last few games and today was no exception. The Blackburn pack who has dominated most of their opposition this year realised that this game was going to be different. The Rossendale Front Row of Joe Simpson, Derek Bulling & Shaun Smallridge took three against the head in the scrum with the help of Aiden Hopkinson and Ben Flanagan in the Second Row.
Open Play was similar with the Rossendale pack out rucking their opponents making life easy for scrum half George Allen to snipe at the defence.
The well drilled Blackburn side were defending well and attacked with flare and eventually broke through for a try in the corner to lead 5-0 at half time.
The second half saw more of the same with Rossendale attacking the try line but for last passes to go astray or solid last ditch tackles being made. Rossendale attacked for the majority of this half but could not score yet never looked like conceding but unfortunately could not get the equalising score for this part of the game to end 5-0 to Blackburn.
In the second game it appeared that Blackburn had strengthened their side and tightened up their scrum and with the Rossendale lads tiring this was going to be a test of strength and commitment.
But in true Rossendale fashion they attack and from three great phases of rugby saw Shaun Smallridge crash through for a great well deserved try which was converted by Oliver Molloy.
With their tails up Rossendale attacked with every opportunity through Natsaha Smallridge, Shaun Smallridge, Joe Simpson and Derek Bulling. These attacks were only stopped by a strong defence and most other sides would have conceded points with the strength of these attacks.
From a neatly stolen ball at the base of the Blackburn scrum by George Allen managed to send Fly Half Will Gledhill on a jinking run to score in the corner also converted by Oliver Molloy.
From the resulting kick off the ball was reclaimed by Rossendale and through some good forward drive sent Prop Joe Simpson on a run with players left scattered over the pitch from this aggressive running lead to a great individual try.
Blackburn were never going to give up the good record that they have without a fight and through some poor Rossendale tackling managed to break through to score a converted try to leave it 7 – 19 at half time.
The second half started with Blackburn putting the pressure on and eventually scoring a well worked converted try.
Rossendale were now tiring and with the big Blackburn squad replacing players that this second half uphill against the wind was going to be a stern test of character.
Another great driven ball by the Rossendale pack to play deep into the Blackburn half and eventually Shaun Smallridge peeled off a maul to score his second try of the game converted by Oliver Molloy. With the score at 14-26 the last few minutes were going to be nail biting this was made slightly worse when against the run of play the Blackburn winger went over in the corner, this try was converted to leave the score 21-26. Rossendale can be really proud of results like these, against teams like Blackburn who have been together for a few years and with such big squads is a sign of the massive improvement that has been made. It should also give us confidence in playing any of the county’s top sides.
Man of the Match Natasha Smallridge for her outstanding contribution to the game, strong tackling and aggressive running.
Most Improved player again went to Ben Flanagan who has now won this award twice in three games. Just a little more effort Ben and the Man of the match award could come your way.
But besides these awards the whole team want to be proud of themselves for a great all round display.