Great win for the 2s

What a difference a week makes. After a big loss on the road to Chester last week mainly down to a lack of playing numbers for a variety of reasons Rossendale second team regrouped and were able to put a strong side out with four named substitutes for the eagerly awaited local derby game versus Blackburn.
It was a strong start for both sides each trading heavy blows and big contacts all around the field , non more epitomised by the huge drive from Scott Marshall early in ther game that swept two defenders from their feet catapulting one of the big blackburn forwards several yards backwards and the other sat down on his backside. Oh Lordy Lordy !
It wasnt until the 15th minute that a score was posted courtesy of a fine finish by Toby Cole after some wonderful work through the backline. AJ Potgieter adding the conversion.
Dale continued on the front foot and after several rucks down towards the Blackburn line it was Dom Rees -James who picked the ball up from the back of the pack and drove his way over for a welcome and very much well deserved try .
Blackburn found a way back into the game and pushed up towards Dales 22 . They found a breach in what had been an otherwise strong defence and recorded a converted try.
Fortunately Rossendale had their wits about them and immediately applied the pressure back onto Blackburn with a lovely ball floated out to the wing for Johnny Dutton to show his class by dodging and weaving pass several defenders and put the ball down under sticks on the stroke of half time. Potgieter again added the extras.
It was much of the same again after the restart. Rossendale took command of the game and once again pushed towards the Burn line. Matt Probert got possession of the ball some five metres out and there was no stopping his big athletic frame from crashing over the line despite the attention of four defenders.
To their credit Blackburn didnt give in and pulled a further converted try back but just as before it was Rossendale who were always on the front foot and it didnt take long for Scott Jordan to dance his way over the try line to finish another good move and Potgieter to add the conversion to put the score at 31-14.
It probably wasnt so much that Rossendale took their foot off the gas at this stage but rather that Blackburn really upped their game and gave it their all . Despite being down on numbers they really played up and made the last 8 minutes of that match a real nerve jangling experience for the home side and their supporters .
A converted try followed in quick succession by a further try to Blackburn had the scores at 31-26 with minutes still remaining. Blackburn were applying the pressure to the very end and despite having played some good rugby and being in control for most of this match Rossendale were grateful for the final whistle to blow and take the spoils in the derby game.
Despite having several tries scored against them , the "in the face" defensive efforts of Rossendale for most of the match was a credit to the lads and was certainly a major factor in Rossendale having most of the dominance. Line outs were alot better this week and the cleaning up of loose ball around the lines better to see. Dale also engaged solidly in the rucks and mauls and managed to turn over the ball back in their favour more times in this game than i can remember in all of last season , in no small part to the endeavours of Joe Robertson Maher who had a great game throughout. Other performances of note came in from the ever industrious Rory Clark and the terrier of a scrumhalf AJ Potgieter whilst the strong powerful running of Johnny Dutton was missed after the left the field with an injury ten minutes into the second half. Big applause also goes to Dom Rees James who is fast becoming a real rock of this team and improving week on week.
On speaking to the coaches post game Andy Potts response was " Any chance of a lift to the Lion ?" ( yes) whilst the new feature of interviewing a random supporter to take their account of events saw some old chap run away ?? !
Young Potgieter was also held in a strangle hold by the author for several minutes post game despite his great efforts and will never commit his misdemeanours again. "skop die bal in kontak vir fokken sake" :)
Next Saturday the Seconds are at home again against Anselmians with a slightly earlier kick off for a double header with the first team playing afterwards.