Won and confused.

Throughout the week it was a little bit of an anxious wait to see if the weather would be kind enough to break for the Sunday Cup game versus Orrell. Orrell’s weather, according to my app, was just as horrendous as the ‘monsoonesque’ down pours of Rossendale Valley in the week, bleak indeed but break it did and play we did!

A good strong turnout from Rossendale players, thanks parents, missing only 2 and 16 players available was a good turnout and really means a lot to have fresh legs on the side line. Taking a critical view on the game the boys still need to play together as a team and passing and catching was awful at times..., panic passing was also a problem as we handed over the ball a few times as a result of a lack of focus under a bit of pressure.

First half, well almost all of the first half, the team looked very tidy. We displayed good attacking and defensive shape, won rucks, won every scrum and made a lot of yards’ ball carrying - Great job boys well done...! Couldn't really point anything out of the game as it was well controlled by the Rossendale U13's and we managed to put over 3 tries without answer from the Orrell team. Later in the first half..., some unruly Rossendale defensive gave way to a couple of breaks from Orrell and the Orrell team capitalised surgically on the gaps and lapses in the Rossendale defensive.

First half done and 3-2 up we were looking okay, Orrell still putting in a strong physical game and challenging every play. Lapses in concentration and shape left us open for another couple of tries, but thankfully Hugo woke up and realised he was in a rugby game and put away a couple for us including a cheeky signature try starting from almost the halfway line..., I would have bet hard earned money his legs would have buckled three quarters across the field but he found the lungs and legs to find the try line (he’s now recovering in the Oxygen tent).

There was a few stand out tackles, which the team really, really, need to work on..., Rhys especially making a big hit in the first half slowing down a steam train nearly double his size and unfortunately resulting in a sore arm. Kyle too making his rucks count and clearing out well with decent work rate and focus. Well done boys.
Every player should feel really positive and good about the game, very well done all for contributing to a very enjoyable game. Well done each and every player!

The game finished on 5 -5, ergo the confusion at the score line. Including me. The referee mid-way in the second half, awarded a penalty try, when Rhys got clobbered in a high tackle..., the game didn't restart from centre, which is probably why we all thought just the penalty was given. So awarding the penalty try left the score line Rossendale 6-Orrell 5.

Try Scorers: Joey (1) Rhys (1) Ethan (1) Hugo (2) Pentalty try (1)