Blackburn 22 - 26 Rossendale

Blackburn 22 – 26 Rossendale

Dale Back In Contention For Playoff

Yet another disastrous warm up almost cost Dale dear in their local derby at Ramsgreave Drive. Influential scrum half and captain James Bramhall twisted his ankle badly and returning winger Roger Dennison pulled a hamstring before the kickoff, so for the second time this season Rossendale had to phone for reinforcements, and the already reshuffled backline was subjected to further changes before the field was taken. But take the field they did, and after the expected fiery start assumed control against the elements pressuring Blackburn in their 22 with good ball retention and assured ball handling as the rain came down.

Pressure told minutes later as the visitors took clean ball from a lineout 10m out and drove Burn over their line for Mackenzie to touch down in the corner. A brave attempt at the conversion by Stirrup fell inches short of the mark. 0 – 5

This spurred the home side on though, local rivalry to the fore, and Blackburn upped their ante as Dale seemed to ease off a little. As a result Blackburn began to assert themselves and were awarded a penalty soon after, well kicked from 45yards by Pienaar. 3 – 5

Soon followed by a try wide out on the right wing by Barnes as Dale pressed the panic button and made error after error. Again well kicked by Pienaar. 10 – 5

Rossendale restarted with gusto but poor tackling allowed Burn more "go forward" ball and Dale found themselves under pressure again and eventually conceded another try on the other wing as Maudsley took the overlap for the try after McCabe was sinbinned for dangerous play at the tackle. Another good strike from Pienaar struck the upright to deprive Burn of the extras. 15 – 5

Half time came and the Dale huddle was left with little doubt as to what needed to be done as the pitchside element of the team took the "good cop, bad cop" route over the teamtalk to impart its’ words of wisdom.

Dale now had the wind at their backs, fresh legs in the shape of Goosen and a well placed Collins chip saw Walmesley impeded in the home 22. Blackburns veteran scrumhalf and captain, Paul Bleasedale the culprit was binned for the cynical professional foul and Dale were awarded a penalty for his callous act, and opted to kick for the corner and take the lineout. But the home defence manfully "repelled boarders" and kept the resurgent Dale at bay for phase after phase of close quarter rugby until Miller was caught illegally entering the ruck and also binned for repetetive offending. With the Burn pack and backs now both depleted it was only a matter of time before Dale closed the gap, the try coming from the scrummage. As Burn wheeled the scrum to avoid the pushover Stirrup picked
up and scampered behind the posts for a simple score and easy conversion. 15 – 12

A bloodbin substitution saw Leyton Taylor enter the fray and immediately prove his worth, smashing through 7 Blackburn tacklers on a 20yard burst following a loose Blackburn clearance; then popping up on the opposite side of the pitch to smash through then outpace Burns defence for a spectacular try from 25m out. Stirrup obliging with the conversion. 15 – 19

Taylor actions not only gave the lead back to Dale but inspired the whole team and with the influence of the Goosen, Pole and Mackenzie back row beginning to tell Blackburn seemed to wilt as the numerical advantage took its’ toll. More Dale pressure saw Pole driven over from close range by Goosen and Mackenzie as the rest of the pack turned the screw. Again, Stirrup converted. 15 - 26

But this being the derby fixture it always will be the home side refused to surrender and as their side returned to its full complement they staged a comeback as the partisan crowd willed them on. Indeed they scored again as Dale were caught slowing down the ruck, and lost Mackenzie to the sinbin. Blackburn converted this pressure into points and scored a converted try soon after.22 – 26

To Rossendales credit they kept their foot on the pedal and attacked relentlessly for the remaining 7 minutes of the game, and only brave Blackburn defence kept Dale out at the game ground inexorably to a finish. Another important victory keeps Dales promotion hopes mathematically alive, as New Brighton and Altrincham Kersal both dropped points.

Quote Dave Wood

" Not a pretty win but a result, The impact of Goosen and Taylor off the bench was notable and proved too much for Blackburn to cope with. It’s satisfying to beat your local rivals 3 times in a season and goes a long way to redressing the balance of recent seasons results."