vs Northwich

Rossendale 48 – 14 Northwich

Dale take another step towards promotion....

It was a windy Marl Pits that welcomed Northwich on Saturday, and on their preferred pitch again, thanks to the dry weather, Dale knew nothing less than a win would suffice if their promotion goal is to be achieved. And they produced just that, with a confident display of open rugby which produced 7 tries and kept the Rossendale faithful entertained throughout and hinted that there was more to come as this season draws to its’ finale.

Dale started the 1st half with the wind at their backs and immediately looked to redress the balance against Northwich, who beat the Valley side earlier this season. And after minutes of fierce contest Harper tore a hole in the visitors defence, and outpaced his opposition to open Dales account. Stirrup was on target for the extras as the wind picked up. 7 – 0

And the crowd did not have to wait very long for the next score, as some excellent forward play led to Dennison showing his pace to score as Rossendale rose and took the ascendancy, leaving the visitors reeling. Again Stirrup hit his mark. 14 – 0

More forward dominance led to another score moments later as Pole forced his way over from close range as Bramhall used the elements to pin Northwich in their own 22. Enter Stirrup 21 – 0

But the apparent ease with which Rossendale were scoring took the edge off their concentration and the kick off following Poles score gifted the visitors with a half chance, as the ball hung in the air and Dale waited for each other to claim it. Northwich ran in the gift and converted, as if to remind the home team there was still a game to be won. 21 – 7

The Rossendale riposte was swift, from a scrummage on the 5m line the giant Tongan Pole picked up and battered the defence back for a classic number 8 try. Stirrup again in the groove 28 – 7

But this game was far from over and the visitors scored next as the home defence had another lapse in concentration allowing Northwich a free run in from 20m out. 28 – 14

There was a game to win and Northwich were in it to win too, but Stirrup stretched Dales lead with a penalty from the 22m line before the end of the half 31 – 14

Playing into the fierce wind in the 2nd half Rossendale knew that any possession given to Northwich would cost them dear, but somewhat bizarrely the visitors started the 2nd period by running everything – and into Dales back row allowing turnovers to come easily Dales way and from one such turnover Bramhall again unleashed his pacy backline, Dennison finishing and Stirrup on target. 38 – 14

Dale had “shut up shop” and kept Northwich under the cosh throughout the second period, not allowing them the luxuries of time or space to play their game in and as Mackenzie scored from a driving maul the game was taken far from Northwich’s reach. 43 -14

And Dale added more polish as McCabe added another score to cap a fine performance at 13 and “seal the deal”.48 – 14

Dale allowed the visitors nothing in the second half and could rightly hold their heads high as they left the field victorious.

“Quote MJB”

We’ve shown flashes of this kind of rugby in previous weeks but took a big step forward today, we’re not there yet but if training goes as well as it has of late then we’ll be in good shape for the run in to this season.

Rossendales “run in” means they have to play the other 3 teams in the top 4 of N2W in a frantic 8 days – beginning with Altrincham Kersal(11/4/9) with Rochdale(15/4/9 – 1930ko) and Lymm to finish(18/4/9). And results really went Dales way at the weekend with both Rochdale and Altrincham Kersal failing to secure points – Rochdale losing at home to Lymm and Wilmslow beating Kersal. This all means that Dale inch closer to the play off spot, although depending on results could still win it –well mathematically anyway....