New Brighton 32 Rochdale 22.


For a team with the second best defensive record in the league Rochdale turned in one of the worst defensive efforts seen for some time when they gave up a fourteen-point lead in the first eight minutes. To say their defence was abysmal was a gross understatement, they fell off tackle after tackle and simply watched New Brighton build up an easy lead with tries from winger Navunidakua and number eight Tuipoluto. Things got even worse when the hosts knocked over a simple penalty in front of the posts.

After 30 minutes Rochdale steadied the ship and started to compete however the official was slowing the game down with a series of penalties against both teams and it was proving difficult for rugby to break out.

It was Steve Collins who broke the stalemate when he split the home defence on halfway and took the ball to the fullback before handing on to Jonny Mair who scored near the posts. Collins converted.

On the restart it was New Brighton who scored first with another penalty under the posts to increase their lead.

Collins knocked over a penalty for Rochdale but when New Brighton scored again through their back row forward Manuofetoa it looked as though Rochdale were in for a real roasting. This was not to be the case, Rochdale started to get a little more possession and got their backs moving, Phil Cowburn went over in the corner and Collins converted.

Rochdale attacked again and a cross kick to the corner by Collins saw |Callum Mulkeen get the touchdown to put Rochdale within five points.

What happened next did kill the game off, a kick down field went straight to the New Brighton winger Hughes who took it at full tilt, he beat three defenders to score a fine try in the corner to put the hoists ten points clear.

The performance by Rochdale left coach Mick Gould baffled after last weeks superb game against Altincham Kersal for them to put up such a poor display was unbelievable.

Next week Rochdale are at Penrith in the cup and the coach leaves at 9.30am. Kick off is at 2pm, as this is a cup game and if it is a draw at full time extra time will be played.