With pouring rain all day Friday and Saturday morning it was vital that Dale kept hold of ball, run through our patterns and set targets for the powerful forwards to get into the Park defence, which is what we talked about all week in training.

Dale were first out the blocks and had started like they had done the week before with Jamie and Thomas Albinson controlling the game and putting the ball in the right areas. The pack were again dominant against a very big and powerful Park side.

The backs with Dave Wood back in the centre after missing last week’s game were making targets and easily getting over the gain line with hard direct running.

Dale was first on the score board with the pack driving forward and making Park concede penalties. From a kick to the corner the ball was feed to the backs and with quick ball in mid field Leyton Taylor charged onto the ball at pace and crashed over from 10 meters. Thomas Albinson converted. 7-0.

From the re start Dale organised well and cleared away from danger. Park got themselves into the game with some sustained pressure but well organised defence and good discipline held them out. Park however did manager a penalty through some close work from the forwards. Dale were happy it was only 3 points. 7-3.

Clearly annoyed Dale went straight back on the attack and with some excellent work from the back row of Andy Dauncy, Cameron Thompson and Paddy Pole they were rewarded with a penalty which again was fired into touch. From clean off the top line out ball Jamie Albinson produced a moment of individual brilliance by showing a dummy and running straight through the forwards and rounding off the last defender as if he wasn’t there. Thomas Albinson again converting. 14-3.

Park got themselves back into the game with a try of there own just before half time which was probably against the run of play, however Dale quickly re grouped under the posts and sorted things out. 14-10. Half Time.

Instructions were clear at half time. Keep doing what we did in the first half.

Dale were straight on the attack and again with some good decision making and some clever kicking from the Albinson brothers Park were forced to soak up the pressure. It was only a matter of time before Dale would score again. Jamie Albinson crossing for his second of the afternoon after some good powerful work from the forwards. Thomas Albinson again converted. 21-10.

Park never looked like scoring a try with some outstanding defensive work from Dale so they were reduced to kicking the ball. They eventually managed 2 late penalty kicks to close the gap from 21-16. A score line which flattered Park because Dale seemed totally in control of the game and could handle any pressure that Park gave them.

So a well deserved first win of the season with an outstanding team performance against a vey good and well organised team that will be top half of the table come last game of the season.

We will watch the DVD as a group and learn how and why we played so well and hopefully produce another good performance next week away to Billingham.

Team; Roger Dennison, Nathan Settle, Jonny Appleton, Dave Wood, Ali Harper, Thomas Albinson, Jamie Albinson, Paddy Pole, Cameron Thompson, Andy Dauncy, Pole, Tim Fourie, Grant Eddlestone, Leyton Taylor, Paul Keys, Ian Marshall, Subs, Danny Greenhaulgh, Mark Ellinor, Johan Goosen