St Benedicts 5 Rochdale 38 Having boarded their coach at Rochdale RUFC in heavy rain and with no prospect of play if the game had been at home, it was more than a pleasant surprise to arrive in a dry Whitehaven with a firm pitch made for good rugby. Rochdale showed their intentions when at the first scrum; they pushed …
Heroes In The Mud
Rochdale 9 Anselmians 5 The normally immaculate pitch at Moorgate Avenue was turned into a paddy field by almost constant rain leading to this top of the table clash with Anselmians from the Wirral. The referee decided it was playable much to the relief of all concerned. Dale welcomed back Shaun Needham with Tom Callaghan on the bench, the visitors …
Staunch Dale Performance at Bolton
Rochdale 26 Bolton 0 After a two week enforced lay off due to Covid related cry offs by the opposition Dale returned to action at Bolton ironically the last fixture they played before the lockdown. Rochdale welcomed back Shaun Needham and Chris Hodgkinson to the pack at a very damp Bolton to what is always an attractive match. The 2nd …
1st XV DeLa Salle Cancelled
Sorry to report that the game this Saturday against De La Salle has been cancelled due to issues outside of Rochdale control.
Outdone by Anselmians
Anselmians 43 Rochdale 21 Rochdale made their first visit to the new Eastham Pavillion to take on top of the table Anselmians to see who would hold on to their 100% record. Dale were missing Brad Fox but welcomed back pack leader Tom Callaghan and flanker Ross Hartley. The Dale backs were fast out of the traps and a nice …
Quality and control at Keswick
Keswick 24 Rochdale 34 On a grey rainy day in Cumbria Rochdale dominated a youthful Keswick side in what was definitely a game of two halves. Rochdale were without Tom Hindle and Shaun Needham but welcomed newcomer Callum Mulkeen and Harry Hayes promoted off the bench. In a lively opening 5 minutes Dale conceded a penalty for a high tackle …
Warrington Worn Down
Rochdale 38 Warrington 25 Dale faced changes in the pack with Tom Callaghan out for several weeks and Jonny Bradley unavailable in came Dale Slamon to the front row with Harry Hill and Kyle Parry at hooker. Another welcome return was Shaun Needham to inspire the younger lads from the 2nd row. Warrington fielded a big pack and the game …
Comeback at Cockermouth
Cockermouth 17 Rochdale 19 Rochdale made the long trip to newly promoted Cockermouth with several enforced changes from the side that beat Orrell so convincingly last week, Chris Hodgkinson came into the 2nd row and captain Dom Serridge moving to scrum half , Blair Henry replaced Pat Gillian on the wing with Jack Green at fly half. On a bright …
Dale keep their heads to secure win
Bolton 29 Rochdale 37 Despite being without Sean Needham , Ross Hartley and Ollie Coldman and with Travis Townsend en route back from Portugal Dale fielded a strong side with Danny Joesbury at scrum half and Eddie Shanks in the second row, the team had a nice balance with old heads Tom Callaghan and Tom Hindle leading the pack. The …
Rochdale persevere in tetchy game
Rochdale 33 Aspull 20 As the recent wet weather had abated, Rochdale were able for the first time in a couple of months to play this game on the 1st team pitch. This enabled them to use the wider dimensions of the pitch to test the Aspull team’s fitness. Before kick-off, both teams plus those from the 2nd team home …