Ashton-under-Lyne 12-52 Rossendale

Rossendale U13s travelled to Ashton with a strong squad of 19 players looking for revenge after last season's fixture where Dale were heavily defeated.

Even before the game, Dale were struck by some bad luck when Jordan Fortune was suffering from a very sore neck and was unable to play. With no replacement front-row players on the Rossendale bench, the game was to be played with uncontested scrums.

Ashton started the game strongly, catching the kick off and driving into the Rossendale defence. Dale held firm, and shepherded the home side into touch. From the resulting lineout, Sam Irving caught the throw-in and made progress up the pitch, but looked like he was going to be forced into touch until he offloaded the ball just in time to Mark Rutherford-Shaw who ran in his first try from Dale's own half. PJ Butler added the conversion. Dale's next score came from a penalty after Ashton were caught offside, and Rhys Tighe took a quick tap and smashed his way over for his first try. Soon afterwards, on a Dale scrum, the fly half and open side flanker switched places and Rhys Tighe took the ball in the 10 position and started on his strong run through the home defence to score again, with PJ Butler adding the extras. Rossendale's 4th try came from another scrum in their own half, with a nice intchange between scrum half and number 8, giving Mark Rutherford-Shaw 50m to run to score his second try, again converted by PJ Butler. With just a few moments left of the first half, Keir McDonald broke through the defence and dabbed the ball down under the posts. PJ Butler converted to end the half 35-0 to Dale.

Dale started the second half in a similar manner, with Rhys Tighe bagging his third try in the corner. Ashton seemed to wake up at this, and scored 2 quick tries, with one successful conversion. The next try again came again from Rhys Tighe after acting quickly at the breakdown to steal the ball as it popped loose and went through to score and also kick the conversion. Rhys Tighe sealed his man of the match performance with a final try to close the match Ashton-under-Lyne 12-52 Rossendale.

Thanks to John for refereeing, and to all the Ashton lads for sticking at it to the end, and we look forward to next season's matches.

Today was a great performance by the whole team, despite the limited number of names on the score sheet, with some excellent defence and strong tackles, preventing Ashton playing to their strengths and snuffed out the danger from their quick back line. Thanks to all the lads who took their turns on the bench today gracefully. It was good to see the lads round off the season with a good win, and with the comparison to last season's fixture is a good benchmark on how much the team has improved this season. Well done all!