Rossendale put in their best performance of the season against the unbeaten league leaders Sheffield. Dale played downhill in the first half, but soon found themselves behind courtesy of the opposition’s prolific try scoring left winger, who has in excess of 20 tries so far. He dived over in the corner and the conversion was good putting the visitors ahead 0-7.

Dale took the game straight back to the visitors. They exerted some consistent pressure on their defence, but were thwarted time after time. However, Dale kept their composure retaining the ball. Eventually it was worked out to the left here Johnny Leota scrambled over. Finn Rogers conversion drifted just wide of the left upright leaving the score 5-7.

Sheffield then extended their lead with another try. Following a penalty around half way the ball was kicked out to the left and following a catch and drive from the line out the visitors forced their way over the try line. The conversion was missed. 5-12.

Dale were again penalised in their own half and the visitors scored again in similar fashion to their second try. This time the conversion was good and the score crept out to 5-19. We were midway through the half and the penalty count against Dale was increasing.

This could have opened the flood gates, but to their credit the host’s heads did not go down and they once again pressed the visitors back deep in their own half. They were rewarded with a second try again down the left wing. A line out was won on the right and the ball was quickly moved across the backline before finding its way to the overlapping full back George Stephens who dived over in the corner. Rogers’ conversion was successful and Dale had reduced the deficit to 12-19. That was the last action of the first half and Dale were still in the game.

Playing uphill in the second half Dale continued their good form at the end of the first half and continued to attack the visitors. They then score what was perhaps the best try of the game. They won the ball on the half way line. Leota made good ground breaking a couple of tackles. The ball was slipped to Masi Clark and then Jack Lightbown who both broke free past would be tacklers. Mac Duaibe was providing support on their left. He gratefully accepted the off load and went over for Dale’s third try. Rogers’ kick was good and we were all square at 19 all. The Dale faithful supporters were dreaming of a potential upset.

However, Sheffield showed why they are unbeaten at the top of the table. They had to up their game and did so with some slick handling attacking the Dale defence at pace. They managed to retain possession around the Dale line, did not panic in the face of steadfast defending before working the ball out to the left where the winger went over. The conversion was missed, but they were again back in front at 19-24.
They further extended their lead courtesy of another try following a catch and drive from a line out. Their third such try of the game. The conversion was missed. 19-29.

Dale were then guilty of a couple of missed tackles in midfield allowing the visitors to break through the defence line. The ball was passed quickly out to the right and a score was inevitable. The conversion was good and the game was slipping away from Dale. 19-36.

Despite all the good work put in by the hosts it appeared they would get no reward. As time ticked on and the game gone, Dale had the incentive of a bonus point try to go for. To their credit they pressed forward in numbers seeking out the fourth try. They kept the ball in hand five metres out drawing numerous penalties from the opposition. From a tap and go Saba Asatiani scrambled over. Rogers kicked the extras and the referee then blew for time leaving the final score 26-36.

Dale were good value for the try bonus point and with a bit more discipline could have got more from the game. For the neutrals watching they would not have thought this was a game between the top and bottom of the league.

Despite the loss this was Dale’s best performance of the season and it bodes well for the remaining fixtures. They welcome Billingham back to Marl Pits next week for a must win game.