Rossendale looked to build on a good away win at Blackburn last week where they only conceded one try. However, the visitors who had only on once before the game had other ideas running in 6 tries. Dale’s penalty count last week was high and within the first 5 minutes of this game they had already conceded 3, the last of which resulted in a successful kick and the visitors led 0-3.

The Stags went on the attack winning good ball just inside Bowden’s half. The ball was quickly shifted right to left. Junior Nuu’s dummy allowed him time to beat his man and release winger Terence Babarinsa who high kicked his way to the try line. Will Hunt’s conversion was good and the Stags led 7-3.

Almost immediately Stags were penalised once again having got themselves in a tangle trying to break out of defence. Bowden kicked for goal again, leaving the score 7-6. Some 5 minutes later the visitors retook the lead. The ball came loose on the half way line with Dale attacking. It was kicked through by the visitor’s number 7 who won the chase for the ball. He was caught short of the line, but they had numbers in support and went over. The conversion was good. 7-13.

Minutes later they extended their lead courtesy of another converted try. A kick deep into Dale’s half caused a defensive error leading to a line out for Bowden. They won the lineout and then slipped through tacklers midfield allowing a clean break to the line going over under the sticks extending the lead to 7-20.

The visitors were now enjoying themselves capitalising on Dale’s errors. On 27 minutes they helped themselves to another converted try. Dale were penalised around the 5-metre line. This time Bowden went for touch. The line out was won by the visitors who managed to squeeze over close to the posts. The score was now a disappointing 7- 27.

Dale had a lot of work to do to get themselves back in the game. They pressed well from the re-start forcing Bowden to kick. The ball was collected by Babarinsa who broke through tackles from half way charging up to the 10-metre line. He managed to release the ball to skipper Callum Whelan. The ball then went quickly though the back line out to Junior Sa’u who beat off the attention of 2 defenders to go over in the corner. Hunt failed to add the extras. 12-27.

Dale continued to take the game to the visitors who were beginning to feel the pressure. A penalty resulted in a line out 5 metres out. The ball was won and Dale pushed towards the line. Mark Ioane was given the ball and he ghosted over for his 6th try of the campaign. Hunt’s conversion was good and Dale had closed the gap to 19-27. Right on half time they had the chance to close the gap. They worked an overlap on the left wing, but took the wrong option at the last second failing to get the ball to the unmarked Babarinsa allowing the visitors to clear their lines. Half time 19-27.

Dale were still in touch and now playing down the hill. They failed to capitalise on the momentum built up towards the end of the first half and it was the visitors who scored first. Dale had the better of the opening minutes and had an attacking lineout 5 metres out. They threw long and lost the ball and the visitors manged to get out up to the half way line. Dale won the ball back just inside the opposition’s half. However, it was lost and the visitors broke away to score by the posts. The conversion was good, 19-34.

Dale turned the ball over from the restart and drove forwards. Having built a good platform, the ball was worked into the midfield where Nuu ran a great line taking the ball at speed going over by the posts. Hunt’s conversion was good, 26-34.

More was to come from Dale. They continued to dominate in the scrum and from one around the 5-metre line Chris O’Donnell broke away and forced his way over. Hunt added the extras and Dale were right back in it at 33-34.

Dale needed to continue the momentum they had built up, but with 15 minutes to go it was the visitors who were next on the scoreboard. Dale lost the ball in the tackle whilst coming out of defence. As they pressed forwards Dale were penalised at the breakdown and as the referee reached for his yellow card Bowden took a quick tap and scrambled over. They conversion was missed, 33-39.

Dale’s cause a not helped by a second yellow and with around 5 minute to go the visitors won the ball around the half way line. A half break and a slick pass released one of the visitor’s speedy replacements. He was caught short of the line, but managed to get his pass away and they got over by the posts. The conversion extended to score to 33-46 meaning Dale would have to score twice to steal a victory.

Dale drove downfield and courtesy of a couple of penalties managed to secure a line out 5 metres out. The ball was secured and Brendan Berry manged to dive over. Hunt added the extras and the score was now 40-46. There was still hope.

In the dying stages Bowden were giving two chances to put the game to bed from penalties conceded well within kicking distance. However, both chances went begging and Dale still had a chance to sneak it. With the last attempt being almost on full time Dale had no option but to run the ball from their own line. A great break from Nuu got the ball to the half way line. Bowden were penalised at the breakdown and Hunt kicked for touch deep in the opposition’s half. Dale secured the ball and the drive was on. However, the referee saw something at the breakdown and Dale were penalised. The chance was gone as was the game, 40-46.

Despite having the Lion’s share of the ball and dominating at the set piece Dale’s penalty count and perhaps wrong options at times kept giving the opposition chances which they gladly took. Two losing bonus points were gained, but it was more like 3 lost and the consensus from the watching faithful was that they only had themselves to blame.

There is no game next week and the Stags then travel down to Dronfield on the 21st for a 2-15 kick off.

Phil Johnson