The Match in the Mersey Mist

This week we traveled to Merseyside to Liverpool Colleigate. 10 Lads turned out for Rossendale (See Stats) and we borrowed 2 players from LCRUFC. As it happens we borrowed 8 players from LCRUFC with them lending us two new players for each of the four 10 minute periods of play.

The first 10. (LCRUFC 2 - 0 RRUFC)
Rossendale kicked off and immediately it was obvious the LC were a quality outfit. They had peppered their players around the pitch and were ready to catch and return the ball regardless of where we kicked it. They were quick to get into the Rossendale half and slipped through our tackles like jelly falling off a spoon. It also became obvious quite quickly that they were quick and committed at the breakdown. Whether the formed the ruck or we did, they always seemed to get over the ruck and win the ball before we did. Whilst there were two unanswered tries for LC, Rossendale did have Yi held up over the line.

The Second 10. (LCRUFC 1 - 0 RRUFC)
During the break the Rossendale huddle focused on defending and attacking as a team and the kids responded by keeping LC to just one try. Whilst we still struggled to make much mileage into the LC half we did at least start to cut down their foray's into our half. Just the one try for LC in this half. The second period saw some stolen ball from the scrum with quick thinking and eyes wide open from the scrum half's

The Third 10. (LCRUFC 1 - 1 RRUFC)
The coaches asked for the lads to start looking wide for passing opportunities. Poor Callum out on the wing for the first two periods had forgotten what a rugby ball was as no one passed out wide to him. The third period saw the passes coming out of the scrum and rucks and going a little wider and that effort was rewarded with a try for Jason. As ever (as the photographs show), Michael is always in support when ever there is a sprint to the try line. The tackling also improved in this period with Michael and Camron making some great tackles low and around the LC players ankles.

The Forth 10. (LCRUFC 1 - 2 RRUFC)
The best 10 by far for the Rossendale lads. Keeping in mind they all played the full 40 minutes. The two tries came courtesy of the on loan players from LC but the moves to create the tries were very much a culmination of what they had learned through the match. Keep possession and pass it wide. Now if we can start the next match that way we will stand a good chance of beating anyone.

Well done to everyone.