On a nice sunny autumn afternoon a big crowd were at Moorgate Avenue for the visit of Leek, and Dale’s chance to pick up some more much needed points at home. With Jonny Bradley still injured and Danny Joesbury sidelined with a broken wrist in came Dom Serridge at scrum half and a first game for Jacob Bower at wing forward. Also returning on the bench were Matty Johnston and Declan Conner in the pack.
With less than 5 minutes gone, a good attack by the visitors ended with a broken tackle and a try under the posts 7-0 to Leek. Dale were soon back on the attack after a high return kick was taken on his own 22 by captain Josh Schofield. The ball was moved out to the centre Gabe Fraser who scored in the corner. The conversion attempt by Stevie Collins went just wide so 7-5. Leek were soon on the front foot and despite good defence, they won a penalty in front of the posts which was converted to make it 10-5 with only 10 minutes gone.
Leek came close with an overlapping move from the winger Critchlow who just had a foot in touch as he went over in the corner. Dale had all the hard defending to do and with Collins directing the defence they did well in holding the visitors.
But on the 20 minute another good passing move saw the Leek winger unmarked to go in for a 2nd try converted to see the score move to 17-5 with half time approaching. Dale always looked good going forward with Joe Horne and Emerson Lopez always threatening Collins was moving well and giving his backs plenty of chances, Dale were awarded a penalty within range and Stevie Collins slotted over from 30 yds to make it 17-8. This would have been an acceptable score at half time but a lapse in concentration led to Leek finding another try out wide, which was converted to make the score 24-8 at the half way stage.
Dale were soon back in the match as Collins again outpaced the visitors’ defence to score in the corner. He converted with a bending touchline kick to make it 24-15. The Leek defence was a bit shaken by this and after a high tackle on Joe Horne, the visitors’ No.10 was yellow carded. This was Dale’s chance, after a strong break from a line out on half way Harry Hayes and Emerson Lopez combined and after a cheeky side step from Lopez the line was open for sub Dan Bentham to take a nice short pass and Dale were in near the posts. Collins converted and the scores were close 24-22 with Dale looking the more likely to score next.
Matty Johnston was back on to support Stevie Collins and the two of them gave the visitors’ defence a real testing, however Leek were next on the scoreboard when long high pass found their winger free on the right wing to pop over his second try. The kick went wide so 29-22. Not to be outdone, Dale won a line out on the visitors’ 22 and a great passing move saw the ball come right across the park to Jacob Bower who scored in the corner 29-27. From the re-start Dale were guilty of a soft knock on which gave Leek a scrum on half way. Another try and a good conversion 36-27 as the visitors got the advantage again. Dale bounced back and following a great passing move, Hayes found a gap to break the line and pass to Dan Bentham to score. Collins converted and with minutes to go it was 36-34 and all to play for (especially the 2nd bonus point) but Leek found some gaps in the Dale defence and managed a 6th try in the final minute which was converted leaving the final score 43-34 to the visitors.
A great game to watch with 11 tries! Dale with several new players in their side played well and were unlucky not to land the 2nd bonus point. Leek will know they were in a game. Up next – a visit to Manchester.
David Rhodes. R.R.U.F.C.
