Rossendale Seconds involved in another titanic battle.

Well the games do not get any easier for Rossendale seconds following the baptism of fire last week against Caldy in the premier leagues season opener. This week it was Fylde Seconds who travelled to Marl Pits, themselves trying to avenge an opening day defeat. The weather was good and the pitch was pristine. Rossendale played the first half up the slope and both teams commenced an arm wrestle vying for field position . If Fylde showed an edge that they were going to use their previous years experience of being in the Premier league to their advantage the Dale lads didn't take a backward step and some good defensive work thwarted early Fylde attacks. Buoyed by the good start they had made the Dale lads soon began to command the game . Several clean breaks were made through the Fylde defence with Robbie Willets , George Peel and Olly Molloy amongst those who broke through only for last man defenders effecting try saving tackles or the final pass to support players just going astray. The Dale team continued the dominance by pressing onto the Fylde line with some good forward work and Tom Earnshaw took the final ball over the line only to be adjudged to have been held up. At half time the scores remained at a nerve jangling 0-0.
Confidence was high to start the second half given the possession Dale had throughout the first and the slope now being in our favour. Unfortunately Fylde hadn't read the script and soon recorded a converted try to break the dead lock. The pattern of the first half continued but in reverse. Despite playing up the hill Fylde had taken the game by the scruff of its neck and their back line started to look that bit slicker in the passing and running game. A second converted try was scored followed almost immediately by a long range solo effort that left some tired defenders clutching at thin air. This was disappointing as Rossendale's defence through out the match had generally been superb. At 21-0 one could of been forgiven that the writing was now on the wall for Dale but it wasn't . A team that currently bounces with enthusiasm and a big work ethic hit back well and put Fylde on the back foot. The team worked well and recorded tries by Josh France and Tom Earnshaw with Matt Hindley converting a try on the final play of the game to make the final score 21-12 to Fylde. Dale could regard themselves as being a bit unlucky to have lost this game based upon their first half effort . Had some of those last passes on the breaks gone to hand and the team respected possession of the ball a bit better then the result could of been so much different. The Dale team are aware that its very fine margins at the moment being the difference between winning and losing matches but the desire remains.