Solid against Southport

In 1st XV Match Reports by Rochdale Rugby

Six minutes into this match and Rochdale scored a forceful pushover try out left of the posts. Engineered from a lineout which functioned on and off throughout the day. Such was the tempo of the effort the ‘Dale supporters started to imagine many more of these attacks to come. Andrew Donoghue crashed over to score and stand in kicker Nick Ahearn, placed the conversion well to make it 7-0 early on. A pushover try early doors helped the home side steady any nerves and served notice that they had the stronger element up front. Southport though were no mugs, they harried and sniped at the homeside and struggled through to halftime keeping the ‘Dale pack at bay.  Rochdale were at fault with some repeat offending that the referee penalised often.

The conditions of the afternoon were very poor and that followed a morning of near consistent rain that almost washed out the pre-match Mini festival. As it was, the 1st XV had to switch its game from the waterlogged main pitch. “Up your jumper rugby” featured widely and the stronger Rochdale forwards made good ground only to be thwarted by a couple of dropped balls which the conditions contributed to. Aidy Gleeson made several telling runs out of defence as did Dom Macklin support was on hand but Southport managed time and again to spoil the Rochdale attacks. ‘Dale had use of a reasonable wind at their backs but never manged to make telling kicks to secure territory. Shaun Needham along with Tom Helliwell provided continuous support, Hindle and Wadsworth both tackled well as the Southport forwards tried but failed to get into the ‘Dale 22.

Just after halftime Southport were awarded a penalty after a dubious offside decision but their attempt on goal failed and the midfield stalemate resumed. The home side then had a similar penalty but Ahearn made no mistake and ‘Dale were 10-0 up.  Coach Collins made some changes partly through injury to team Captain Dom Serridge.  As Rochdale were missing some regulars, Travis Townsend returning from Cricket duty and playing at fullback was moved to scrum half and Ahearn  went into defence. Josh Boardman and Jack Kelly acquitted themselves well and the strength in depth helped Rochdale to gain superiority over the visitors.

Southport’s only score of the match came courteously from a penalty for offside and at 10-3 Rochdale stepped up their efforts.  Some fresh legs helped in the conditions and after 30 mins of the half, Ross Hartley was on hand to score after a 20 metre rolling maul, Ahearn again on hand to convert. 17-3. The ‘Dale front row deserve some credit for the day, they never took a step backwards and constant pressure on their opposite numbers compounded the visitors woes and time and again the turmoil of the pack turned into possession. The result wasn’t in doubt, Andrew Donoghue took the ball from Helliwell after good support play and steady pressure and with only three minutes left he crashed over out wide.

 22-3 was a fair result, Rochdale had the upper hand in possession and territory but the conditions did not help either side. The home side had good replacements that were used well and at the right time, Collins nowse did the trick and he deserves his four wins from four games. Much more to come though and no complacency must be tolerated. Next week Rochdale are on the road to Tartleton.