Is something truly special happening at Marl Pits? A 1st class surface
at full size was bathed in late summer sun as Rossendale hosted their
first National 3 (N) match. Their opponents? Darlington Mowden Park, an
historically prestigious team suffering hard times and playing at a
level low by their standards, being more used to playing the likes of
Fylde and Preston Grasshoppers. They came to the valley on the back of a
victory vs Rochdale, last years' North 2 West champions, and expecting
to extend their winning start. Rossendale for their part have worked
tirelessly through the summer to provide a facility worthy of such
illustrious visitors, but knew little of their opponents and resolved to
play their own game regardless of the unknown.

From the kick-off the game proved to be a very different "kettle of
fish" from last weeks' encounter with Cleckheaton. No less intense but a
much more structured and skilled affair, which produced a game the like
of which has never been seen at Marl Pits - both sides attacking with
flair and defending manfully.

The opening encounters were fairly evenly matched as both teams probed
their opponents for weaknesses. No quarter given or expected but after a
technical offence at the ruck Dale were awarded a penalty in the
Darlington 22. Up stepped DeJager and nudged the home team into a
slender lead. 3 - 0

The Mowden response wasn't long in coming. From the restart, new signing
Willie Crisp took the ball and evaded the chasing forwards and drove
deep into Darlington territory before being swallowed up and stripped of
the ball by the visiting defence. This set up Darlington for a sustained
period of pressure which resulted in them kicking a penalty of their own
to level the scores at 3 - 3.

Good tackling and fierce driving following Dales' kick-off forced Park
on to the back foot as Rossendale started to play the kind of rugby the
coaching team has striven for. Sequences from the training ground began
to appear and their effectiveness saw Captain James Bramhall skip over
to give the crowd the try they'd come to see. Dejager on target again
for the extras. 10 - 3

More assured play saw Dale stretch their lead to ten shortly after
following more Park interference and Arno DeJagers' right boot. 13 - 3

But the loss of Collins to the sin bin saw the numerical advantage take
its' toll and Darlingtons' openside Tonkin pounced on a loose ball and
sprint the 5m to score unopposed as the Rossendale panic button was
firmly pressed. The conversion was gladly taken and Dales hard work
began to come undone and their growing lead pegged back by the visitors.
13 - 10

The 1st half finished with the same score and Rossendale looking
decidedly shaky but still in the lead. Halftime wisdom passed round and
the home team retook the field on a mission - close this game out, and
soon.

3minutes in and the talismanic Collins re-entered the fray as Crisp left
the field(Goosen on), and the effect was immediate and dramatic. Gone
were the nerves and the tempo of the Dale attack took a massive leap
upwards Tonkin was sent to cool his heels for 10 minutes - binned for
the same offence as Collins 15 minutes earlier;entering the ruck from
the side - Rossendale had to make this next period count. Sure enough a
patient build up saw captain Bramhall lead the way for his troops.
Battering his way through Mowdens' forwards with an impressive display
of strength following some more loose lineout play, to be held up inches
short of the whitewash. But Dale were patient and, as coached, they
recycled the ball in close until Bramhall was back in place to feed the
ball out. Bramhalls pass to DeJager deftly slipped back inside to Taylor
who smashed his way through the beleaguered Darlington defence to score
another of his trademark "power tries". DeJager adding the extras. 20
-
10

With their tails now up Rossendale set about attacking straight from the
kickoff, and created phase upon phase of quick ball; resulting in Goosen
powering over wide on the right to push Dale further ahead. 2 more
DeJager points and Rossendale were sniffing the bonus point. 27 - 10

Rossendale edged further ahead with another 3 from that man DeJager to
compound Darlingtons frustration as their captain found himself on the
wrongside of the ruck and Dales determined back row. 30 - 10

However the visitors had other plans and regrouped as their openside got
out of jail, and this time they attacked with renewed zeal - again
Tonkin instrumental. Desperate defence saw Dale keep the rejuvenated
Park out but Bramhall was deemed guilty of a dangerous tackle and sent
for a 10 minute break. Darlington were awarded a penalty for a separate
offence - a Dale forward killing the ball at ruck time - and closed the
gap with a sweetly struck penalty. 30 - 13

Dale were again down to 14 men and the visitors mounted more pressure on
the undermanned Dale, but the valley side stuck to their task and
thwarted attack after attack with a passionate display of defence. As
the game wound to a close MacKenzie was deemed guilty of a technical
offence at the ruck and sent to join Bramhall in the bin as Park took
the 3 points from the penalty. 30 - 16

Sure enough numbers told soon after and as Darlingtons' pressure told
they took another 3 from the increasingly desperate Dale. 30 - 16

More Dale misdemeanors cost them another 3, was a remarkable comeback on
the cards for Park? 30 - 19

And Park came close to taking the game soon after with a try wide out on
the left as Bramhall returned to active duty. 30 - 24

But Dale dug in and kept the ascendant Darlington at bay, a late break
out of defence by Harper and Albinson showing the collective
determination of Dale to win this encounter. Time ran out for the
visitors, as "out on their feet" Rossendale battled on. One more
victory. 30 - 24

Quotes From Staff

Dave Wood - Head Coach

"This is a fantastic start to our season in the national leagues. Huge
credit must go to Tony Bolton and everyone else involved in making Marl
Pits what must be one of the best pitches in this league. Onwards and
upwards for our club. Get yourself down here if you want to watch or
play some quality rugby."

Mick Barnes - 1st XV Manager

"A very satisfying result and a performance to build on. We showed
today, at times, the kind of rugby the coaching team has been creating.
A good day, but the promise of better to come is the best thing about
this fixture. Our quest for the elusive 'perfect game' continues..."

Danny Collins - Forwards coach

" Ducks can fly but chickens can't, yet they both taste so
good..."(Think somebody may not be taking things too seriously tonight!)

Other club results - Pendle 5 - 15 Rossendale 2xv, Chorley 15 - 17
Rossendale 3xv - 3 from 3, a good day at the office! Fanx gents M ;-)