Rochdale 24 Bowdon 21
After last week’s disappointment at Manchester, Dale were looking for points in their home game against mid–table Bowdon. Harry Hayes was out with a broken hand but with new player Luke Fowden making his debut, Joe Horne returning, and Ross Hartley making his first appearance this season on the bench, Dale looked to have a strong side out.
On a bright sunny afternoon at Moorgate Avenue Dale needed to be at their defensive best as the big Bowdon pack strung a series of passes together and approached the home side’s 22. But an interception gave the ball back to Dale and a chance to turn defence into attack. With Steve Collins leading the way they took on the visitors and got as far as the 22 before the ball was lost forward in the tackle. A wild pass to the right winger was deemed forward, the scrum went to Dale and after a good break by Declan Connor the ball moved to scrum half Dom Serridge, and a nice inside pass let Captain Josh Schofield score by the posts. A simple conversion for Collins saw the score 7-0 with 15 minutes gone.
After the re-start Dale won a scrum penalty on halfway but, despite a good run by Emerson Lopez supported by Luke Fowden, Matty Johnston wasn’t able to ground the ball. A deep clearance kick by Bowdon saw them into the Dale 22. With a scrum given on the 5 metre line, a good push by the visitors’ pack led to a try under the posts and a simple conversion levelled the score at 7-7.
The next 10 minutes were played in the midfield with both sides winning lineouts on each other’s 22s but neither side could get over the line. However, after a lineout on the Bowdon 22, a series of offside calls from the referee led to a yellow card for the visitors and Ross Hartley came on for Harry Hill in the pack. Dale were now on the front foot and another telling charge by Dec Connor led to Fowden passing inside to Jacob Bower to score by the posts. The conversion was made by Collins and Dale went in at halftime 14-7 up.
The 2nd half started with Dale attacking, determined not to let their lead slip. Steve Collins led the way with clever kicks over the Bowdon defence allowing the Dale backs to pressure the visitors’ line – and after a good maul on the 5 metre line, it was prop Dougie Poole who crashed over for Dale’s third try. Collins converted and the score moved to 21-7 with 20 minutes to go.
Bowdon upped the pressure with only heroic defence by the home side holding them at bay. A series of penalties saw the visitors camped in the Dale 10 metre area and eventually the try came! The conversion made it 21-14 with an hour gone.
The pressure was relieved somewhat when Dale were awarded a penalty on the Bowden 22… Up stepped Steve Collins to slot the ball over and stretch the score to 24-14.
Bowden were next on the score sheet when, as the pressure mounted on the Dale defenders, a 5 metre scrum led to a try for the visitors. With the 2 points from the conversion added, the score narrowed to 24-21.
Bowden threw everything at the Dale line, but total defence kept them at bay. A final attack led to a scrum on the Dale 22 but a great push by the home pack saw the ref award a penalty to Dale and, with seconds left, Collins smashed the ball into touch leaving the final score 24-21.
This result lifted Dale off the bottom of the table and Saturday sees them face Huddersfield away in a rearranged fixture. The coach leaves at 12.30.
David Rhodes R.R.U.F.C.
