Having suffered the agony of relegation last season Rossendale looked to bounce straight back to the National Leagues, recruiting well during the closed season. First up was a journey to Staffordshire to take on Leek. Dale were up and running straight away scoring in the first minute. The ball was collected from the kick off and worked quickly from left to right reaching Terence Babarinsa on the wing. He accelerated deep into Leek territory before slipping the ball inside to the supporting full back Alex Ropeti who ran in under the posts. New signing, Will Hunt added the conversion, 0-7.

Before the hosts had chance to regroup, Dale added a second try. Dale were awarded a penalty close to the posts, but elected to kick to touch. The ball was successfully secured from the line out then a quick break by man of the match, skipper, Calum Whelan allowed him to release Loma Kilvalu who gleefully dived over. Hunt’s kick from the touchline sailed straight through the middle of the sticks, 0-14 after just 8 minutes.

More was to come as Dale pressed forward at speed at every opportunity. Slick passing down the right wing resulted the ball reaching Ethan Fourie who sold the Leek defender a dummy before skirting round the defence and going over by the posts, allowing Hunt an easier kick for the conversion, 0-21.

A bonus point try soon followed. Leek kicked deep into the Dale half, but straight down the throat of Ropeti. He broke quickly forward exchanging passes with Will Hunt. The final pass was to winger Terence Babarinsa who dived over to the left of the posts. Hunt’s conversion was good, 0-28.

Dale extended their lead within a minute. A line out was won on the right and from the ensuing catch and drive Jack Wilkinson got his hands on the ball squeezing over for Dale’s fifth try. Hunt kept up his 100% kicking record, 0-35 after just 23 minutes.

It was an electric start from Dale and the home supporters were left fearing that worse was to come. However, the Leek players to their credit did not lose heart and began to take the game to Dale. Following a break down the left the ball was switched across field out to the right winger who dived over in the corner. The conversion was missed, 5-35. They scored a second shortly after, again wide on the right. Another failed conversion left the score at 10-35.

Junior Nuu received a yellow card for a high tackle and from the penalty Leek went over for another try. It was third time lucky for the kicker and the conversion was good, 17-35. That proved to be the last action of the half.

Having let the hosts back into the game at the end of the first half, Dale started the second half as they did the first. Following a catch and drive deep in Leek territory Wilkinson dived over for his afternoon’s brace. Hunt added the extras despite the ball clipping the upright, 17-42.
Leek’s discipline began to let them down resulting in two yellow cards in quick succession. Nuu then returned giving Dale a two-man advantage. Dale made full use of this numerical supremacy. An exchange of passes between Whelan and Sa’u resulted in the ball finding its way to Hunt whose precision cross field kick dropped kindly into the hands of the accelerating winger Babarinsa who weaved his way over for his brace. Hunt’s excellent kicking continued leaving the score 17-49.

Leek were then shown a further yellow card leaving them with only 12 men on the park. Again, Dale made them pay. A good break from Junior Nuu allowed around the half way line him to release Junior Sa’u who went over wide right. Hunt’s 100% record with the boot failed to continue with the ball drifting wide, but the score was now 17-54.

Another of Dale’s new signings, Samir Tahraoui received a yellow card for a high tackle. Leek then managed to exert some consistent pressure on Dale’s defence and were reward with a bonus point try. The conversion was good, 24-54.

The game ended a little strangely. In the dying seconds Dale had a scrum just in front of their own posts. The ball was won, but Dale failed to get the ball off the park to end the contest. The ball bobbled over the line with Leek quicker to react resulting in another converted try for the hosts, leaving the final score 31-54.

All in all, it was a good afternoon for Dale who welcome old friends Stockport to Marl Pits next Saturday, kick off 3pm. Come down and support the Stags!