Back On Track….?

It was back to winning ways at Red Rocks as Rossendale saw off higher league opposition again in the 3rd round of the EDF Intermediate Cup. Forced to cede their home advantage again due to pitch conditions at Marl Pits, Rossendale travelled to St. Helens in determined mood after the previous weeks under-par performance at Northwich and started as well as they have all season against a side who obviously expected less from visitors.

From the off Park were rocked by Dales competitiveness and seemed stunned at their oppositions ability to retain possesion. And following a patient build up Stirrup opened the scoring with a long range penalty after 10 mins. 0 – 3

Bramhall almost scored with some of his trademark alertness, only desperate defence kept him from the line. But in the face of more sustained Dale pressure Park conceded a penalty inside their 22 for “hands” in the ruck. Quick as a flash, Stirrup had tapped and gone – penetrating the cover before feeding the supporting Bramhall for a simple score. The scrum half added the extra 2 and Rossendale were 10 pts ahead after 15mins. 0 – 10

Dale kept their foot on the pedal throughout the rest of the half and tested their senior opposition to the full. The forwards recycling well and the Stirrup/Bramhall combination dominating the game using width and patience to grind down the ever more frustrated Park. Another Stirrup penalty took Rossendale 13 points clear at the interval. 0 –13

Still the half-time team talk asked for more though, and the whole team knew there was indeed more in the tank and that there was still a daunting task ahead.

Monumental tackling from Short, Pole and Mackenzie staunched the West Park offensive as the 2nd half got underway. To the point where the home team scrum half left the field injured following an attempted blindside break. The following reshuffle gave Park more direction and their backline began to attack with ball in hand at last. But the visitors defence held firm and drove back the reinvigorated Park.

Dale were truly in the ascendant when Collins burst through the West Park line, after a clever reverse pass from Stirrup. Quick ball followed from the ensuing ruck and Bramhall unleashed his backline on the left. Walmesley scoring in the corner. 0 – 18

Two more penalties from Stirrup stretched the lead to 24 points soon after, and with the game won Rossendale relaxed somewhat and gifted Park a try in the dying minutes, but that was all the home team could manage to take away from Dale as the match ended 5 – 24.

After the game, Forwards Coach Danny Collins said “The boys obviously got a lot out of the 2 training sessions last week, especially Thursdays “live” session against Sedgley Parks’ 1st XV. We have shown glimpses of what we are capable of in our last 2 Cup matches vs teams from higher divisions, and must show the same passion and intensity in the coming months if we are to push for promotion.”