Rossendale travelled through the scenic Snake pass to take on Sheffield Tigers on the highest pitch in England. This was a must win fixture with both sides languishing close to the bottom of the table. The opening skirmishes were pretty much even, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring with a try under the sticks. The conversion was successful and the score read 7-0.

Rossendale bounced back immediately with a try of their own. Tigers dropped the ball in mid field which was gratefully collected and passed quickly across the field. It found its way to Terence Babarinsa who flicked the ball out of the back of his hand to the overlapping Dan Holland who went over in the corner. His conversion drifted wide. 7-5.

Dale were now taking the game to the hosts and were rewarded with a second try courtesy of Junior Sa’u. The ball was won at a line out by Ethan Fourie and then passed quickly across the back line before reaching Sa’u out on the right wing who dived over for the score. Holland’s conversion just scraped over the bar and Dale took the lead at 7-12.

Almost straight away Dale shot themselves in the foot allowing the hosts a soft try - whilst attempting the run the ball from their own line a poor pass allowed the ball to go to ground where it was collected by the attacking Tigers who worked the ball out to the unmarked winger who went over in the corner for a try. The conversion was missed and the score was now 12-12.

Worse was to come for Dale who were penalised at a scrum on half way. Tigers took a quick tap and burst down the centre. A couple of missed tackles allowed them to score under the posts. The conversion was good and the hosts retook the lead 19-12. The hosts tried to push home their advantage but knocked on following a stolen line out and that was the last play of the half. Half time 19-12.
At the start of the second half Dale appeared to have got their act together spending the best part of 20 minutes in the opposition’s half. Unfortunately, they were unable to find their way through the defence and the only reward for all their endeavour was a Dan Holland penalty leaving the score 19-15.

Straight from the kick off another error from Dale allowed the hosts to extend their lead. The ball from the kick off was collected by Dale and passed to the full back to clear his lines. However, the ball was charged down. Dale were unable to regather and an attacking Tiger gratefully picked up the ball and dived over. The conversion was good and the lead extended to 26-15. This was the first time in the half that the hosts progressed deep into Dale’s half and the score was against the run of play.

The Tigers now had their tails up and took the game to Dale and they further extended their lead with a try wide on the left. The conversion was good, the ref blew for time and the final result was 33-15 to the Tigers.

The final try was the only one the hosts manufactured themselves the other coming courtesy of Dale’s errors, which in this league tend to be punished to the max. Dale travel up to the north east next week to take on Billingham on their artificial pitch where we expect to witness a game of open running rugby. If Dale can eliminate the errors there is every chance of securing some much needed points.

Phil Johnson