Promising start to the new season

For both their visitors Ashton-under-Lyne, and Rossendale this would be their first match on a full size pitch and as such the coaches decided to play two 15minute halves and if their players were "still standing",play a further 10minutes to get close to the maximum of 50minutes allowed at this age group.

Ashton-under-Lyne kicked off a little short of the full 10 metres and Reece Howarth was quickly up to gather the ball and set it up. Nathan Waddington at Scrum half was soon on the scene and immediately cleared the ball from the contact area. Rossendale fed the ball across the back line but pressure from Ashton forced a knock on and a scrum for the visitors.

The scrummage at U13s uses all 8 forwards, another step up from last year, and Rossendale have had some pre-season coaching in this area by Jack Robbins, one of the senior team's front row specialists. As the Ashton-under-Lyne scrum half released the ball into the scrum the Rossendale pack surged forward as one and won the first of many encounters in this area of the game.

The Young Bucks were on the offensive again and Joe Bedlow made rapid ground, only being brought down by two of the opposition forcing him to the ground. Joe Starkie and Tyler Johnson charged over the ball securing possession and Rossendale were off again, Haig Haworth picking up and jinking through gaps in the oppositions broken line, he was stopped just short of the try line, but once again Rossendale forwards, this time Nuri Stoner and Cai Astley protected the ball and Nathan Waddington seized his opportunity to cover the final few metres and dive over the line for Rossendale's first try.

Joe Bedlow was unlucky with the conversion (all kicks this season being taken from the 22, a big step up for the boys) narrowly missing to the left.

From the kick off Rossendale once more took clean possession and were keen to maintain their momentum. There forwards stayed sharp and gave little away, and Ashton were hard pressed to keep them at bay. Jack Whittaker, in possession just inside his half , took advantage of some open ground on Ashton's right. As the visitors full back made to tackle he quickly slipped a pass to Fin Wilby and looped round into space for the return pass and was in the clear to score Rossendale's second try in the corner. It was a big ask for Joe Bedlow to convert almost from the side line, although his kick did not fall far short.

Confidence was growing amongst the Marl Pits lads and they enjoyed long spells of possession probing and testing the Ashton defence. Every member of the side played their part, supporting and encouraging their team mates. From the scrum in their own half the Rossendale pack once more gave clean ball to their scrum half enabling the backs, spearheaded this time by Josh Beeken to make a breakthrough, drawing in the Ashton defence and the releasing Taite Johnston who covered some more ground before setting Joe Bedlow on a final charge across the line grounding the ball centrally between the posts.

With a kick right in front of the uprights Rowan Hopkinson made no mistake and gave his side the full seven points and a 17-0 lead at half time.

Ashton stiffened their defence in the second half aided by the advantage of the slight down hill slope they brought out the best of the home sides defence. Elliott Newell was fierce at the breakdown and made several good breaks and Rowan Hopkinson was a constant threat when in possession forcing his way through tackles creating holes in the Ashton defence. One or two promising moves from the visitors were snuffed out by several punishing tackles from Joe Bedlow.

As the gaps appeared in the Ashton defence Jack Whittaker was quick to take advantage and weaved his way through to score his second try. The conversion attempt by Tyler Johnson whilst on target did not quite have the distance ending the second period of 15minutes with the score 22-0 to Rossendale.

The coaches decided to give the boys a final 10minutes of play and Ashton, to their credit bounced back, scoring three quick try's and one conversion, against a slightly stunned home side, who although they battled well in defence will have been pleased to hear the final whistle, heralding a well deserved victory and an encouraging start to the season.

The final score was 22-17 to Rossendale.
Rossendale man of the match was Nathan Waddington.
Back of the match was Jack Whittaker.
Forward of the match was Joe Starkie.