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Sat 04 Nov 2023 ·  NOWIRUL COTTON TRADERS PREMIER LEAGUE
Preston Grasshoppers 2nd XV
2nd XV
24
21
Tries: G Peel, R Clark, M RinglandConversions: A Potgieter (3)
Rossendale Seconds game goes down to the wire.
john bridge6 Nov 2023 - 19:02
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Dale go down on the last kick of the game
A short journey over to Preston and to the home of the Grasshoppers was the order of the day on Saturday following a week off for the Rugby world cup final. A strong side was fielded and it needed to be against what is a normally strong Grasshoppers side whose first team sit high in the National Leagues.
Preston drew first blood with a converted try after ten minutes but there was no open flood gate and Rossendales defence muscled up. Dale drew level near to the half hour mark with a try by the industrious George Peel converted by AJ Potgieter.
The joy was short lived however when a few a mnutes later Preston scored a further converted try and went into the half time break with a 14-7 lead.
A regrouping during the break and some inspired statements gave the Rossendale team a boost and they once again drew level with the home side following a try by Rory Clark again converted by AJ.
In an almost repeat set of circumstances to that of the first half however Dale rested on their laurels and Preston took the lead once again with a converted try to go 21-14 up.
The Rossendale Second team are never one to throw in the towel and the never give up attitude showed through. They pressed against the Preston defence and were justly rewarded when Matt Ringland scored and with AJ's conversion the game was again level at 21-21.
The game seemed to be heading towards a draw which perhaps would of been a fair result but on the 80 minute mark the home side were awarded a penalty and with the last kick of the game Preston took the spoils with a 24-21 win.
A bitter and disappointing end to all concerned with Rossendale not least because of the effort that was put in on the day to go peg for peg with Preston . Some good performances all round but Star of the match was awarded to Joe Robertson - Maher whose having a cracker of a season so far.
Despite the loss Rossendale maintained their fourth place in the Premier league but it doesnt get any easier for this Saturday when third placed local rivals Sedgely Park are the visitors to Marl Pits for what promises to be a belting match.
Preston drew first blood with a converted try after ten minutes but there was no open flood gate and Rossendales defence muscled up. Dale drew level near to the half hour mark with a try by the industrious George Peel converted by AJ Potgieter.
The joy was short lived however when a few a mnutes later Preston scored a further converted try and went into the half time break with a 14-7 lead.
A regrouping during the break and some inspired statements gave the Rossendale team a boost and they once again drew level with the home side following a try by Rory Clark again converted by AJ.
In an almost repeat set of circumstances to that of the first half however Dale rested on their laurels and Preston took the lead once again with a converted try to go 21-14 up.
The Rossendale Second team are never one to throw in the towel and the never give up attitude showed through. They pressed against the Preston defence and were justly rewarded when Matt Ringland scored and with AJ's conversion the game was again level at 21-21.
The game seemed to be heading towards a draw which perhaps would of been a fair result but on the 80 minute mark the home side were awarded a penalty and with the last kick of the game Preston took the spoils with a 24-21 win.
A bitter and disappointing end to all concerned with Rossendale not least because of the effort that was put in on the day to go peg for peg with Preston . Some good performances all round but Star of the match was awarded to Joe Robertson - Maher whose having a cracker of a season so far.
Despite the loss Rossendale maintained their fourth place in the Premier league but it doesnt get any easier for this Saturday when third placed local rivals Sedgely Park are the visitors to Marl Pits for what promises to be a belting match.
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