Rossendale Stags travelled over to Preston to take on Grasshoppers. It was the hosts who were first on the score board. The ball was sent out to the right then back left through the backs before the winger going over in the corner. The conversion was good leaving the score 7-0.

Dale took the game straight back to Hoppers who were penalised on their 22 allowing Dan Holland to slot over his kick. 7-3. Dale continued to keep the pressure on and the home side were penalised again following a number of indiscretions. Holland gratefully split the sticks again leaving the score 7-6 and Dale were well back in the game.

Hoppers came back and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they kicked extending their lead to 10-6.

Dale bounced straight back though with a try from Jack Wilkinson. Hoppers were penalised for crossing, the ball was kicked to the corner and from the line out the ball was secured, a driving maul set up and from the resulting shove allowed Wilkinson to force his way over. Holland added the extras and Dale deservedly took the lead at 10-13. Dale continued to apply the pressure, but were unable to cross the line for a second try. There was however just time for the hosts to level the score at 13 all right on half time from another penalty.

Dale started the second half brightly and were rewarded with a second try from Mac Duaibe following another catch and drive from a line out. Holland’s conversion was successful extending the lead to 13-20.

Hoppers were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for a high tackle. Despite the numerical advantage it was the home side who scored next with a try in the corner following a catch and drive from a line out. The conversion drifted wide and the score remained 18-20.
Just after the hour mark the game was turned on its head. A scuffle broke out and following the intervention on the assistant referee one of the Hoppers was deemed to have punched Leyton Taylor and was shown a straight red card. That was not the last of the incident and following an injudicious comment another of the home team received his marching orders courtesy of a red card. At this point the hosts were down to 12 on the field.

With such a numerical advantage the travelling supporters were looking forward to Dale securing a much-needed victory. However, Dale failed to make the hosts pay and constantly kicked the ball away. This played into Hopper’s hands and they gratefully ran the ball back at Dale. They were awarded a penalty, which if successful would put them in the lead at 21-20, however it drifted wide.

With around 10 minutes to go Dale were still ahead, but were unable to put any sustained pressure on the home side. Against the run of play Hoppers put in a crossfield kick which the Dale defence failed to catch allowing it to bounce. It rolled over the try line and a Hoppers attacker was first to the ball. The conversion was good and the hosts were now back in front 25-20. Worse was to come for Dale with the home side stealing the ball deep in the Dale half on the left wing. They managed to throw the ball across the field and despite only having 13 men on the field the winger found himself all alone and was able to run in and score a bonus point try. The conversion was good and the score went out to 32-20 which became the final score.

Dale have only themselves to blame. The game was there for the taking with the home side down to 13 men, but Dale failed to make use of the numerical advantage with the ball kicked away too often rather than being retained and recycled.

Fylde are the visitors to Marl Pits next week for the last home game before the Christmas break.

Phil Johnson