A slightly mixed bag of emotions on Saturday last when Rossendale seconds competed in the final game of the Cotton Traders Premier league 2023/24 season at Marl Pits. On the one hand the team where beaten in the game but on the other it was a tremendous match and when you lose one of those sorts of games it really doesn't matter that much, it was to coin an old phrase "the taking part " that counted. Additionally however the team in playing how they did ensured that they reached their minimum goals of the game in that they played and scored 4 tries which gave them a bonus point and in doing so confirmed that they would finish fifth place in the league, a fantastic achievement in such a strong competition.
The visitors from the West side of the county were the Fylde Hawks. It was they that took an early lead with a converted try but eight minutes later Rossendale were on the board courtesy of a fabulous run by the winger Albert Bradshaw. Fylde once again extended the lead with an unconverted try but in what was a very eventful game Rossendale on the stroke of half time saw Toby Cole race in for a good effort with AJ Potgieter adding the two points to make the game 12-12 at the break.
It was very much the same in the second half with both sets of forwards scrapping for every inch of territory throughout the match and it wasn't for the feint hearted . Fylde once again took the lead with a try though in the early stages of the half but it wasnt long before the flying winger Bradshaw chalked up his second of the game after following up a kick through from Joe Burns. Both tries where unconverted and the scores level at 17-17. A defensive lapse in the midfield was to be Rossendales undoing and allowed Fylde to regain the lead for the next ten minutes with both sides once again giving every effort and making an enthralling game of it. Rossendale went on the attack and another delighful chip over the defence by Joe Burns saw the winger Bradshaw chase and pluck the ball from the air to dive over and record his hat trick on the day. A fantastic conversion from far out and a difficult angle by AJ Potgieter brought the scores level at 24-24. I told you it was an enthralling game!
With 5 minutes left on the clock and not much between both sides to predict a winner at that stage Fylde once again broke the hearts of the local side with a further converted try . Whilst that shouldnt have been the end of the day for Dale they gave away a penalty in the dying minutes that saw Fylde gain a further three points and take the game beyond their fingertips. Dale themselves ploughed on to the very end . They gained a penalty deep into Fyldes half . The visitors scrum half tried to cheekily run the ball away as he ran the clock down but came to an abrupt halt and was folded in half as he was hit with a bulldozer of a tackle from Matt Ringland . Worth the admission fee alone to see that and judging by the way he was helped from the field with bruised ribs wont be doing that again in a hurry. Sadly though nothing further came from the penalty and that was the end of that with a final score of 24-34 to the visitors.
Some cracking performances on the day and both Joe Robertson Maher and Dom Reece -James can take big bows from the efforts they made. Star of the match was awarded to the old stager Alex Isherwood who was outstanding with his work load to the end.
The presentation night was held later in the evening at the club house. Second team awards went to Toby Cole as top try scorer through the season, Players Player award went to AJ Potgieter whilst the coaches player award went to Joe Robertson Maher . George Peel who captained the side for much of the season and was outstanding throughout also got a surprise award when he received top try scorer for the Thirds as a result of turning out for them when not involved with First or second team games. What a great club man. Though some controversy did remain over whether the 40 year old Peelys award was for tries or how many bricks he laid in the season !
Notwithstanding all that a big hand goes to Keiron Parker the best Donk in the world. First team , second team , third team . Whatever , he's always there , club stalwart and rightful recipient of the Rossendale Rufc club award of the year.
Congratulations to those lads on your awards , thoroughly deserved. A big thanks and best wishes to all the players for their efforts throughout what was a relatively good season and as said earlier fifth place in that league is an outstanding effort.
So as the curtain closes for the final time its good luck to all the players for the next season and best wishes to all the lads who wont be with us next year for whatever reason. Finally, its good night from me and goodnight from him!
The memories will live on ...hic.