A lesson learned

The home team kicked off and managed to pin Rossendale in their own half for a good few minutes and the visitors needed to rely on keen tackling with Haig Howarth and Rowan Hopkinson leading the way. An infringement by Blackburn in the ruck eventually gave Rossendale the opportunity to push forward with a fine run from Max Haworth. He was brought down but Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones who was following up took the ball on a further few yards until he was enveloped by the opposition defence.

Blackburn surged forward again and gained the upper hand at the breakdown aided in some part by the down hill slope. They made the most of this advantage recycling the ball through several phases of play until finally picking up and driving over in the corner. Blackburn converted to go 7 points up.

Rossendale followed up from the kick off in an effort to level the scores, Nuri Stoner made good ground whenever in possession but the Bucks failed to capitalise, usually coming off second best in the contact area. Blackburn built up the pressure and stormed down the left wing and but for a crunching tackle by Reece Howarth would have been over for a try.

The home side edged their way forward however, and despite the efforts of Jack Flannagan and Joe Starkey, managed to bundle the ball over the line after dominating in two rucks.

At 14 down Rossendale tried hard to move the ball and make space for their backs. Elliott Newell made several runs on the wing gaining precious yards, on one occasion passing to captain Jack Whittaker, who dodged and swerved through the opposition until he was brought down with a high tackle. Joe Bedlow took a quick tap penalty and forced himself over the line and a cool headed Rowan Hopkinson secured the extra two points with the conversion to end the first half.

In the second half Rossendale benefitted from the down hill terrain and spent a good deal of time in their oppositions half. Cai Astley toiled at scrum half although his opposite number gave him little time to settle, he did give Fin Wilby the odd opportunity to wriggle through the defence.

Josh Beeken also made the most of his possession with some telling breaks of the line. Despite their possession and territory the Young Bucks could not get any points on the board and let themselves down by giving away possession too easily and not competing effectively at the breakdown. This allowed Blackburn to gradually gain the upper hand and score twice more, the final try coming in the last move of the match.

Final score Blackburn 28-0 Rossendale