Rossendale travelled to the coast to take on Fylde in the penultimate game of the season. The Stags were unlucky to come second best last week against Hoppers and were looking to go one better. They started the game well and got straight into the faces of the hosts. So much was the intensity of the attack that Fylde were forced into a number of errors which were capitalised by the marauding Stags. They were rewarded early on when Krisnan Inu crashed over from short range for the opening score. He missed his conversion, but Dale were ahead 0-5.

Five minutes later Dale extended their lead courtesy of a try from Kieran Tyrer. Fylde won their own scrum and shipped the ball out towards their left wing. However, Dale’s defence was up quickly forcing the winger to drop the ball. It was gleefully collected by Tyrer who dived over. Inu’s conversion was good this time and Dale were now ahead 0-12.

The hosts finally managed to get on the scoreboard with a converted try of their own. The score was 7-12 and they were back in the game.
This did not stop Dale from continuing to take the game to the hosts and scored their third try. Harry Chubb went over following a kick and chase. The Fylde full back seemed to be favourite to collect the ball, but was beaten to it by Chubb. Inu’s conversion from wide out on the wing drifted wide, but Dale had extended their lead to 7-17. This became the half time score.

Dale then earned a bonus point try with Vinny Durcan going over in the corner. From a 5-metre scrum Dale won the ball and it was slipped out left quickly reaching Durcan who ran onto the ball at pace. Inu’s conversion from the touchline added the extras and Dale were deservedly ahead at 7-24.

Having been dominant for the first hour the game began to change for Dale. Penalties were now being conceded on a regular basis giving the hosts an opportunity to get their running game going. They did not need asking twice.

Dale found themselves a man down when Sam Bedlow was shown a yellow card following what the officials deemed to be a high tackle.
Fylde used this numerical advantage and pressed hard towards the Dale line. They were held at bay, during which time a number of penalties were conceded. Eventually they managed to get the ball wide and went over. The conversion was missed. 12-24

Dale were soon another man down again when Matt Probert was the recipient of a yellow card following an apparent indiscretion at the breakdown. Fylde pressed forwards and it was not surprising that they scored a third try. The conversion was good and they were back in the game at 19-24.

Dale got their full complement of players back on the field, but were unable to extend their lead. They were soon down to 14 again when Inu became the third Dale player to be shown a yellow. With the cards and penalty count increasing the tide was turning in the host’s favour. Rather than kick for touch with these penalties they chose to run the ball. Dale were well and truly on the back foot and all the hard work put in during the first half began to tell.

With two minutes to go Fylde scored their fourth try wide left. The conversion which would have put them in the lead went wide and we were all square at 24 all.

A draw looked on the cards as the clock ticked down to the final whistle. However, the hosts had the last laugh again going over wide left to take the lead for the first time. The conversion this time was good and they led 31-24.

This proved to be the last score with the hosts victorious. Final score 31-24.

Dale perhaps deserved more from the game, but the 2 bonus points are crucial with one game to play.

Next week they take on a Hull side who were relegated following this weekend’s round of results.

Phil Johnson