Cleckheaton 8 - 15 Rossendale

It's never easy for a Lancashire side to cross the Yorkshire border and
come away with a result, but that's exactly what Rossendale managed this
weekend. An 'on the road' victory in their 1st foray in National Div 3
(North) is a welcome result for all concerned and will go a long way to
settle the obvious nerves this fixture as always going to bring. It was
never going to be a display of 'champagne rugby', the gritty home
defence allowing Dale little time or space to find their feet at this
new level; and, after exerting considerable pressure, took the lead as
the visiting forwards were drawn into unpleasantries and penalised
accordingly. 3 - 0

Rossendale regrouped somewhat and in true Dale form took the game back
to the Yorkshiremen, but were just lacking that certain something as
opportunity passed them by on numerous occasions - wrong options and
stray passes gifting the home side possession and allowing them to once
again pressurise a jittery looking Dale. A quickly taken lineout on
Dales' 22 saw Cleck move the ball wide quickly to score on the opposite
wing and take an 8 point lead - the difficult conversion attempt
striking the upright to deny the home team the extras. 8 - 0

Dale once again set about their task, and produced enough continuity to
apply some pressure of their own - forcing Cleckheaton to defend their
line. Pole broke from a scrum in the home 22 and drove left, driving the
defence back. Quick support in the form of Collins and Mackenzie cleared
the ruck for Bramhall to feed DeJager who battered his way over to open
Dales account. But failed to convert his own try. 8 - 5

And so the 1st period ended, with closely fought forward encounters
beginning to go Dales' way but Clecks' backline looking dangerous in
space.

Coach Woods' halftime message was a simple one - more patience, more
cohesion. That old adage again - 'man up'!

The 2nd half began with Rossendale in the ascendant. MacKenzie, Collins
and Pole taking the game to the home team and grinding deep into
opposition territory. Bramhall and DeJager both putting the ball to
boot, using the elements to turn the defence and play the territory game
- in the Cleck half of the field.

Pressure told soon after with Bramhall, back in his favourite 9 shirt,
deftly chipping the onrushing defence and collecting his own kick to
touch down. 8 - 10

DeJager on target this time to extend Dales lead to 4pts. 8 - 12

There was no let up from Dale following the restart, more committed
rucking by the forwards saw Collins held up over the line. The referee
however pulled the play back to a prior offence by the home side once
the advantage was not taken. DeJager again on target with the penalty to
increase Dales margin. 8 - 15

As the attrition continued 'up front' Cleckheaton rallied for a finish
and only some quality, last ditch defending by Harrison kept the home
side out following more use of the available width. But still Cleck kept
coming as the clearance failed to find touch, rather being fielded by
the full back to place a crossfield kick just out of the reach of his
winger. Dales spirited defence closed the game out with some huge
tackles repelling Yorkshire Boarders and securing the result.

Quote MJB
"Although a long way from the kind of rugby this side is capable of,
such a display of passion and committment shows promise for the future.
Dale can not only take away 4points from this fixture, but also plenty
of positives in this Litmus test of life in Nat 3 (N). It's a start, and
- as always - we can, and will, improve on a weekly basis"