Liverpool St. Helens 17 – 19 Rossendale

Talk about a game of 2 halves! A slow, shaky start from a reorganised Dale gifted LSH 3 tries and left the travelling fans expecting another disappointing afternoon. But Rossendale showed real character and nerve to run out victors in another hard fought league clash.

The visitors started the game with the kick off and almost caught their own kick, and applied some pressure in the opening encounters only to turn the ball over in the tackle and allow LSH to clear their lines. Dale opted to kick their next possession away, and none too well – and the strong running home back 3 made them pay dearly. Running the ball across the face of a disjointed Dale defence before penetrating down the right wing to open their account with a converted try. 7 – 0

From the restart the home team, now rampant, moved the ball wide to the left and only some last ditch tackling and guile prevented another try, it was however deemed illegal by the referee and LSH opted to kick for goal and failed. A let off for Dale.

The gauntlet firmly placed, Dale restarted but the lessons of the 1st score went unlearned as LSH punished more loose recycling by attacking hard down the right wing again, and chipping over the oncoming Dale to score again. 12 – 0

The next portion of the game saw Rossendale reassert themselves, and indeed they came close to scoring, the last pass going awry after Harper cleared up some midfield confusion and thrust deep into the home 22. Dale had their self belief back and now began to attack in earnest, 6 phases of attack inside the 22 saw the visitors inch closer and closer, until McCabe put up a high crossfield kick into the left corner – Settle pounced on the loose ball. 12 – 5

But the home side were not undone, and inspite of some stern Dale defending managed to score again before half time. This time down the left wing following many well contested phases. 17 – 5

Rossendale again restarted and pressured LSH into a penalty just before half time, Stirrup missed the long range attempt but Dale were back in the hunt…

The 2nd period opened excitingly with both sides keen to attack and was end to end stuff for the first 5 mins. But Dales pack began to assert their authority as they raised their game, forcing the home team into defensive situations time and again – Rossendale were down but definitely not out.

From a midfield ruck, McCabe fed Pole – who rumbled down the left wing into the LSH 22 before feeding Settle, who jinked and danced his way to within inches of the line only to be hauled down by the scrambling home defence. As he went down though he popped the ball up for Leyton Taylor to score the simplest of tries. Stirrup obliged with the conversion 17 – 12 & game on…

Dale continued to pressure through the forwards and kept the home team in their own half for much of the contest but to their credit LSH refused to give up anything and defended stoically keeping Dale out time and again. Eventually they broke the Dale stranglehold and attacked themselves, but it was shortlived and Rossendales miscued clearance was volleyed on by Stirrup and bounced sweetly for the chasing Collins who collected well and outstripped the chasing LSH to score as the clock ticked down. Again Stirrup was on target with the conversion. 17 – 19 & game over. 2 vital League Points and a crucial win vs an in form side.

Quote David Wood

"Our forwards proved dominant and provided some quality possession to an understrength and out of position backline. James Bramhall showed his class at scrumhalf and in hindsight was probably the difference on the day."