Rochdale RUFC 0 – Wirral RUFC 46
After their last meeting in April ended in a 12-12 draw at Wirral, Rochdale was hoping for another close game. Head coach Steve Collins felt positive going into the game, having picked up points from other top teams so far and despite the squads injury concerns.
But the visitors had a totally different side and from Rochdale’s kick-off soon showed why they are challenging for top spot in the current league.
It took the visitors 15 minutes to get the first points on the board. Following a good passing move, they went over for an unconverted try to make it 0-5.
Rochdale came back with strong runs from Eddie Bateman and Steve Collins leading the way with a clever kick through, and when a Wirral player deliberately knocked on, the referee produced an early yellow card.
This should have seen Rochdale push on with the man advantage, but it only served to spur on Wirral. With an effective Wirral rush defensive and Dale’s penalty count rising, the visitors got the luck of the bounce from a high kick, which their winger gathered to score beneath the posts. Again, the conversion was missed, the only chink in the Wirral armour, making it 0-10.
Rochdale pressed hard but were held inside the visitors' 22 and conceded yet another penalty.
Play moved to the Rochdale 22 and a rather soft-looking try was scored to make it 0-17. The next 10 minutes sealed the game despite valiant defending in the midfield by Luke Foden and Joe Donnelly.
Wirral now dominant and scored two further tries before half-time, leaving the score at 0-29 and Dale facing a long way back, with no response, unlike last week at Macclesfield when they had managed to stay in touch with the game.
The second half started with a rare Rochdale penalty, but on a day when nothing much went right for the home side, it failed to reach touch and allowed Wirral to come back and score another try, securing the bonus point. The kick was again missed, so the score was now 0-34.
The Rochdale attack, led by Dougie Poole, Ben Sunderland and Eddie Shanks, battled hard but could not break through to the try line. Josh Schofield had a couple of jinking runs but was well marshalled by the Wirral defence.
The scoring slowed down, and both sides were guilty of missed chances and poor passing. Eventually, the visitors found a gap after yet another penalty had taken them to the Dale 10-metre line. Quick hands saw the ball reach the winger, who just squeezed in at the corner flag. The kick was again missed, leaving the score at 39-0 with five minutes left.
Rochdale had chances when Shanks got to the Wirral line but was held up.
Both Ben Coulter and Ross Hartley battled well in the scrum and, with the introduction of Harry Hayes and veteran Tom Callaghan, they won some good ball.
The line-outs were mostly solid, but it was Wirral who dominated the game. An under-pressure pass from Danny Joesbury in his own 22 led to an interception, and a try under the posts gave the kicker an easy conversion to make the final score 46-0 to the visitors.
A tough day at the office for this young Dale side. Coach Collins recognised Wirral’s quality and how his team now needs to put the result behind them and continue their development.
Special mention to debutant Josh Jackman for some strong runs.
But Player of the Match went to Eddie Shanks for numerous steals both at the lineout and in open play.
A week off next week, and then a visit to local rivals Blackburn.
Report: David Rhodes; Photos: Tim Taylor; Interviews: Jim Shanks; Videos: Richard Bradley