Rossendale got back to winning ways with a well-deserved victory over near neighbours, Rochdale. However, it was not all plain sailing with the visitors scoring straight from the kick off to take an early lead, 0-7.

Playing up the hill the Stags got their game together. Winning a line out on the right the ball was passed quickly infield eventually reaching the hands of Junior Nuu who saw a gap in the visitor’s defence and dived over to the left of the posts. Will Hunt’s conversion was good and we were all square, 7-7.

This did not faze the visitors who capitalized on a couple of Stag’s errors eventually forcing their way over the try line for a second time. The kick was successful and they were back in the lead 7-14.

Rossendale began to exert some consistent pressure on the visitors’ defence and were rewarded with a second try from winger Terence Babarinsa. Again, the ball was secured from a line out on the right and worked quickly infield. Rochdale were penalised in front of the sticks. Stags chose to take a quick tap and the ball was passed to Junior Nuu who side stepped past his opposite number before releasing Babarinsa who went over to left of the posts. Hunt was successful adding the extras and we were all square again, 14-14.

Right on half time the visitors re-took the lead. Again, capitalizing on Stag’s errors they forced their way over from short range. The try was converted and at half time the score read 14-21.

Rossendale were now playing downhill and it did not take them to long to register a third try. Dale retained good ball in the midfield driving forwards and sucking in defenders. The ball was then shipped quickly left finding Will Hunt in space on the wing and he dived in between two defenders for the try. He converted his own try and we were once again all square at 21-21.

This was just the start Stags needed and they shifted up a gear. They began to dominate in all facets of play constantly forcing Rochdale onto the back foot. Their pressure was rewarded with a bonus point try from stand in hooker, Brendan Berry, who had replaced the unfortunate Jack Wilkinson who suffered a fractured arm the previous week. From a penalty on the half way line Dale kicked deep into the visitor’s territory. A catch and drive from the line out saw the ball in Berry’s hands and he dived over close to the corner flag. Hunt kept up his good kicking record and Stags lead for the first time, 28-21.

Within a couple of minutes Stags extended their lead with a try from James Flynn. Stags were dominant in the scrum and forced their way forward driving towards the line. The ball was popped out left and Flynn went over to the right of the upright. Hunt continued his 100% kicking record. 35-21.

Rochdale had no chance to regroup before Stags, who now had their tails up, scored again. Stags’ dominance in the scrum resulted in good quick ball. A grubber kick was put in down the right wing which saw Dan Holland win the foot race to the ball, diving on it inches before it rolled dead. Hunt took the kick from virtually the same spot as his last conversion and the 100% record continued. 42-21.

The visitors then secured a bonus point try of their own, which was converted, 42-28, with 11 minutes left.

Ethan Fourie then won the ball around the half way line and Dale found themselves with numbers out left. The ball was moved quickly out to winger Junior Sa’u who dived over in the corner. Despite kicking into a strong wind Hunt’s conversion from wide left was good, 49-28.

There was still time for the Stags to score again, with Berry securing a brace for the afternoon. Stags relentlessly pressurised Rochdale’s defence and were twice held up over the try line. It was however third time lucky. Rossendale stole the ball before working it left again where it reached Berry close to the line. He took his chance well diving in between two defenders. The wind eventually won its battle with Hunt and his conversion failed to go over leaving the score 54-28.

Rossendale were unable to extend their lead before the referee blew for time leaving the final score 54-28. A number of the Stags had put in good performances, but it was Mark Ioane who was given the man of the match award for his work rate and good carries. Next week Rossendale travel to unbeaten Macclesfield.

Phil Johnson