Dale started the day knowing that anything less than a win would probably end in relegation. They started well playing down the slope towards the sponsor’s “Wagon”. Cheered on by the faithful supporters, Dale took the game to their opponents from the off, but were held at bay. Eventually the pressure told and from a scrum on half way the ball was passed to the ageless Johnny Leota who was playing his last game for the Stags. He crashed through two tackles making good ground before offloading the ball to his left. Quick hands saw the ball passed out to full back George Stephens overlapping down the left wing at pace. He brushed off a couple of would-be tacklers before touching down under the posts. Finn Rogers conversion was a formality and Dale were ahead at 7-0.

Shortly after the restart controversy descended onto Marl Pits. A brief scuffle took place, which brought the intervention of the assistant referee from the side lines and after a rather long conversation he showed red cards to Jack Wilkinson and the Billingham Number 8.

From the resulting penalty the opposition managed to secure ball and following missed tackles in the mid-field managed to break through Dale’s defence. Having made the breakthrough, full advantage was taken and they scored under the sticks. The conversion was good and we were all square at 7 all.

Not being down-hearted by these recent events Dale pressed forwards. Again, the ball was won around the half way line. From a quick break away Finn Rogers accelerated forward quickly before slipping the ball to right winger Luckas Sableman-Blue who headed for the corner before side stepping to his left and grounding the ball just to the right of the posts. Rogers added the extras and Dale were ahead again at 14-7.

Not long after Dale extended their lead. The opposition were penalised again for another high tackle. The ball was kicked into their half and ball was taken cleanly in the subsequent line out. A drive was set up and Dale quickly threw bodies in. They drove forwards strongly travelling some 30 or so yards before reaching the try line. Owen Boxall had the ball in hand and the try was awarded. Rogers’ conversion drifted agonizingly wide leaving the score 19-7.

Dale then proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot. Having secured a comfortable lead, from the restart they allowed the ball to bounce into touch. Dale appeared to have secured the ball at the line out, but were over the try line. A Billingham attacker dived over the line with the ball on the ground and with no Dale hand on it the referee awarded a try. The conversion was missed, but they had closed the gap to 19-12.
Dale continued to pressurise the Billingham defence and they were again penalised for another high tackle. The kick was right in front of the posts and being right on half time Rogers gratefully accepted the three points. So, at half time Dale had a 10-point lead at 22-12.
Playing up the slope in the second half, but with a light breeze behind them Dale continued on the front foot. They stole the ball on half way breaking forward through the midfield courtesy of Mac Duaibe. The ball was slipped left to Sam Bedlow who drew his man before delivering the ball left to the overlapping winger Luckas Sableman-Blue who went over for a brace on the day. Rogers’ conversion added another two and the score stretched out to 29-12.

Dale pressed forwards yet again finding themselves deep in Billingham territory. A further try seemed on the cards and if the final pass to Sableman-Blue had been more accurate the winger would have had his hat-trick. However, the ball agonizingly passed him and went into touch.

Not letting this deflect from their attacking endeavours Dale continued to exert pressure on the visitor’s defence. Close to the try line Billingham conceded a series of penalties and despite words from the referee strangely no yellow card was shown. Rather than kick for touch Dale chose for tap and goes, but were kept at bay and eventually the visitors managed to clear their lines.

The game was still comfortably in Dale’s grasp as time ticked on and they were closing in on the much needed 5-point win. However, the visitors were not done and were looking for at least 2 losing bonus points which would guarantee safety and division two status next season.
Around the half way line Dale were, some would say, harshly penalised for an indiscretion at a lineout. From the penalty Billingham kicked deep down the right. The visitors retained the ball which was slipped quickly out to the left wing and they went over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide in the wind leaving the core 29-17 with less than 5 minutes to go.

From the restart the visitors threw everything at Dale. Whilst the win was probably out of reach bonus points were still on offer. They spent some time camped just short of the Dale line. A number of penalties were conceded and as with the opposition earlier in the half the referee had words. In the 46th minute of the half the referee showed Ethan Fourie a yellow card. Billingham made numbers count and went over for their fourth try which was converted with the last kick of the game leaving the final score 29-24.

Dale were well worth their victory which leap frogs them above fellow relegation contenders Scunthorpe and Hull. Dale travel over to Humberside next week to take on a strong Hull Ionians side. There is then a two-week break before Dale’s next home game, a Lancashire Derby with Preston Grasshoppers.

Phil Johnson