Dale took on relegated Hull at Marl Pits looking for a 5-point win. They were however reliant on fellow strugglers Otley and Scunthorpe losing if they were to finish out of the relegation battle nightmare. Both had tough fixtures, with Otley entertaining champions Sheffield.

Dale played their part securing the necessary points running in 12 tries in the process. Things did not start well with the visitors opening the try fest with one of their own with not even a minute on the clock. The conversion was missed, 0-5. Dale responded within 5 minutes courtesy of Vinny Durcan. Dale were dominant in the scrum, securing good quick ball which was passed swiftly out to Durcan on the wing. George Stephens added the extras and Dale led 7-5.

Hull promptly went down the other end and added a second unconverted try to lead again 7-10. Dale were then reduced to 14 when Mark Ioane was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Shortly after Hull were reduced to 14 also. Dale took a quick tap and the ball went through a number of hands finding its way to Krisnan Inu who dived over. Stephens’ conversion was good and Dale re-took the lead at 14-10.
Hull did not appear to be downhearted and again pressed the Dale defence. Poor tackling allowed then to score near the posts. The conversion was good and they were back in the lead at 14-17.

Dale then took the game by the scruff of the neck and their free-flowing attacking game clicked into gear allowing them to run in four further tries. There was a brace for prop James Flynn and one each for Owen Boxall and Mac Duaibe. Stephens kept his 100% record with the boot and at half time Dale led 42-17.

There was no let- up in the second half. Dale were comfortably ahead, playing downhill and towards the vocal supporters in the wagon who were enjoying the rugby, the sunshine and one or two libations. With a couple of minutes of the second half gone Dale won a line out deep in the Hull half. The ball reached Mac Duaibe who managed to crawl over the line for his second of the afternoon. Stephens’ conversion was a formality, 49-17.

Within minutes Duaibe had his hat-trick, picking the ball up, a la Paddy Pole style, at the back of a maul before walking over. The extras again came courtesy of Stephen’s reliable right boot. 56-17.

Dale were now rampant, running in a further four tries, from Uni, Kieran Tyrer, Durcan and Masi Clark in a blistering 15 minutes of running rugby where side steps and dummies were in abundance.

Durcan’s second was probably the best of the afternoon. The ball was collected deep in their own half. Skipper Callum Whelan set off on a mazey run breaking tackles and evading would be defenders before setting up Durcan to go over in the corner. Stephens’ conversion from wide on the right this time drifted wide, 75-17.

Clark’s try was converted this time by Finn Rogers, 82-17.

There was still time for Hull to score their fourth try, which was converted leaving the score 82-24. That proved to be the last action of the afternoon and Dale were worthy winners.

Dale had done their bit securing the points, but Otley had not read the script and pinched a win against the champions Sheffield at the death running out 42-36 winners, thus keeping them ahead of Dale. With Scunthorpe losing at Darlington, they were now 6 points behind Dale, with a game to play and so joined Hull being relegated. Dale were now in the play off spot where they will take on the winners of Anselmians or Harrogate at Marl pits on May 9th.

By Phil Johnson