Darlington Mowden Park 15 Rochdale 7

Whilst the premiership league is having its trials and tribulations it is safe to say that Rugby Union at grass root level is alive and kicking. Both sides whilst not playing at their best put together a hard fought game at Mowden Park on Saturday.

It was never going to be easy for Rochdale; their hosts had been relegated from National League two last season whilst Rochdale were promoted from North 2 (West). It was Rochdale's highest position ever in the league tables and whilst they went down in a hard fought game they showed that they have more than enough ability to compete in the higher leagues.

On a perfect pitch with a slight breeze it was a great setting for an afternoon of open rugby and yet surprisingly both sides stuttered and stammered in the early stages, dropping passes and losing possession at will. Darlington broke the deadlock when their forwards got good possession on the visitor’s line, their pack took control and moved the ball well and after a series of drives drove over for a try, the conversion was good after a previous miss with a penalty.

Rochdale were penalised again for handling on the floor and the conversion put the host’s ten points ahead. Things were looking a bit grim for the visitors but they got themselves together and worked their way back into the game, their defence was good and the Darlington backs were having difficulty in making any headway. In fairness they lost their scrum half playmaker Lithgo with a leg injury which didn’t help their cause.

A couple of mistakes in the Rochdale ranks saw the hosts camped on their line just before half time and it was only some stout defence that kept them at bay, and there was a definite sigh of relief from the spectators when the half time whistle went.

The second half went on much the same pattern with both sides probing but failing to make any real headway; the defences were definitely on top. A penalty to Rochdale opened up the game when Steve Collins kicked to the corner, he followed the ball and threw in a quick ball whilst the Darlington pack was strolling back for the lineout; the ever alert Ross Hartley was on hand and raced under the posts for a seven pointer. Darlington were stung into action and after a poor take by Rochdale from the re start they got themselves into the position they wanted and once again got their pack moving on the Rochdale line and scored an almost complete replica of their first try. The conversion was wide.

Rochdale refused to lie down and on a better day they would have probably taken two glorious chances to score. First scrumhalf Daz James broke down the blind side and put Callum Mulkeen away down the wing but the return pass inside was blocked by a defender and the score went begging. Darlington were penalized for taking a player out during the attack and were lucky not have a man in the sin bin. It was ironic that the official did not show the same leniency to Rockdale’s skipper Mike Bradwell who went to the sin bin for playing the ball on the ground.

Steve Collins was the next to break up the middle, he got the ball away to his backs but a slight hesitation within the ranks allowed the defence to snuff out the move. Rochdale kept on probing but could not force another score and were unlucky when the official penalised Ross Hartley for not releasing the ball; he had no sooner hit the ground in a tackle when the official awarded a penalty against him and gave the hosts the breathing space they needed. Rochdale will need to remember that at this level a bonus points system is in operation and if a team keeps within seven points of the opposition they gain one point.

Rochdale entertain Sheffield Tigers at Bamford on Saturday, they went down at home to Penrith at the weekend and will most certainly be looking to put things right.