Another Local Derby Win For Under 11's

Burnley Under 11’s 12 V Rossendale Under 11’s 28
After some real tough games of Festival Rugby the Rossendale side were looking for an easy game against a side they comfortably beat four weeks ago.
The game started and Rossendale’s were slow out of the blocks and slowly forced our way into the game. Our dominance was the scrum and once again with good quick ball the backs were getting some good possession but for simple handling mistakes on the last pass the tries did not come.
We should have scored twice in the first ten minutes but for handling mistakes and greed.
It was inevitable that Rossendale would score first and eventually the first try came for Will Gledhill who in the last few weeks has started to control the game more. The try was converted by Oliver Molloy.
Burnley were rotating player all the time and eventually got the balance right by putting some more older stronger lads on again this was a credit to Rossendale. The Gym work is really starting to show now and considering there was at least five under twelve’s and two under thirteen’s playing for Burnley the difference in strength was not apparent. In fact in the scrum we were still stronger and when Joe Simpson gets the squat correct on engaging we are unbeatable. Sean Smallridge is also really starting to dominate his opposite number as well. It is now a tussle for the hooking berth with Derek Bulling and Kieran Pearson both winning a number of balls against the head it is starting to give us a nice selection problem.
The second row is still not 100% there has been a massive improvement over the course of the season in the second row but we still need to improve. Ben Flanagan has really up his game over the last few months and Jude Ferrie and Natasha Smallridge are both fairly consistent, Aiden Hopkinson is improving as well. Both Ben and Aiden made one big carry each during the game and this is what we need but we need a lot more and a little more aggression.
Burnley started to cause problems with the bigger lads taking the field and started to win some good clean ball and came close to scoring apart from some great defence.
Rossendale needed to step the tempo and win some ruck ball and this was exactly what happened and the backs made space for Will Gledhill and he danced through for his second try again converted by Molloy.
Second Half saw some changes from Burnley bringing on older and bigger players which disrupted the Rossendale outfit and eventually this saw Burnley score their first try of the day which was converted.
Rossendale were not playing well and the game became a scrappy affair with neither side making any serious head way.
Tempers started to flare and when Kieran Pearson decided to clear out a ruck single handed the Burnley player took exception.
Now I have been telling you it is much more fun rucking hard clean and low than stood up high. Some of you other forwards need to follow suit as if the whole pack was rucking like Kieran did the likes of beating Manchester is well in our grasp.
The seemed to stir up the Rossendale side and with a few more of the ball incidents this seemed to stir us up and was the best part of the game for us
Rossendale regained the ball from a long kick and a fine run by Joe Simpson take the ball close to the line. Burnley scrum was then taken against the head and from the next attack Joe Simpson crashed through for a great try converted by Molloy.
This game was far from over and almost straight from the kick off Burnley replied with an unconverted try with some fairly poor tackling
The Reply from Rossendale was just as quick and from a few forward drives and one really good aggressive ruck Scrum Half George Allen went over for the try Converted By Sean Campbell to give a deserved win to Rossendale.
George Allen had another fine performance again and with Will Gledhill are starting to form a really strong half back pairing.
Oliver Molloy, Natasha Smallridge and Joe Saunders are linking well to
The back three positions are keenly contested to with Nathan improving fast and again so close to scoring, Sean Campbell showing glimpses of skill, one in particular playing himself out of defence. Sean also looks like he might give us cover as a goal kicker as he stepped up for his conversion and smashed it straight through the uprights and the neighbour’s fence. Jude Ferrie played well when he came on and went close to scoring but unfortunately had to come off injured. Calum is also playing well at full back would like you to try and get in the game a bit more when we are attacking you are solid in defence but we need to work on you joining in the line.
On the final whistle I actually said it was probably one of our worst performances of the year but after having time to reflect on things it was not a bad performance. Some of our more established players did not have their best games ever but some of the newer players and improving players steadied the ship.
All in all another good day at the office.