What was that? – laughter, chitchat, horseplay, interaction?? Oh yes! Rugby is back, although in a modified version. No scrums or mauls. Never mind, after zero competitive action for over 12 months it was just good to see two teams enjoying the freedom we have all missed. The day commenced with a guard of honour for Danny Tomlinson as he …
Leigh a League Apart
First game back in over a year, and weather conditions couldn’t have been better. Leigh are always a really strong side, and we’d picked a strong squad to face them. As a side with league influences, we knew that Leigh would always spread the ball well down the line and we’d need to be very quick, and use the line …
Winning at Waterfall
Solid Against Sedgley, Awesome Against Aldwinians A tri-fixture at Moorgate this morning, as part of the Lancashire waterfall competition. A muddy pitch and treacherous ball conditions meant Rochdale would need to deploy a more pragmatic style to be successful. Our first match was against Sedgley Park a team with a big pack who had soundly beaten Rochdale earlier this season. …
Stoic at Sale
On a very soggy and sticky pitch at the Sale Sharks training ground in Carrington we arrived to find the Sale u12s team being put through their paces. A tough encounter for the Rochdale boys. The ref blew to start the 4 x 10 minute games. The early possession was held by the away side. As Rochdale camped in the …
U12 Fylde on Form
Rochdale u12s hosted Fylde on the first team pitch for what was expected to be a tough encounter from one of the North West’s premier rugby union clubs on a cold wet Sunday morning. Finn took an unfortunate knock in the warm up so was unable to start, a key loss for Rochdale backs. At the kick off Fylde immediately …
Rochdale Resilience at Burnley
There was a biting breeze and plenty of rain and hail in the air as we gathered at Holden Road for a meeting against a Burnley team we had bested earlier in the season, but who now had home advantage. With Noah in charge of the squad, and with 2x 20 minute sessions to be had, Burnley kicked towards us, …
Terrific at Trafford MV
With the home game having been called off due to frozen pitches, Trafford’s pitches happily stood at a balmier altitude and allowed a squad of our finest to pitch up for a cold foggy mornings rugby. In order to keep as many players running around as possible, we agreed with Trafford to play 15-a-side and the pitch was widened accordingly. …
Bright play at Broughton Park
We took a squad of 23 down to play a Broughton Park / Old Bedians combined team at their fantastic facilities south of Manchester. The weather was dry and pleasant, and a great set up for our first game of the new decade! The teams were split into two, each team to play 2x 30 minute games, but in order …
Shaking out cobwebs at Old Rishworthians
This was going to be a really tough morning given the last encounter. Duncan gave a rallying call asking for intensity in the last game of the decade! First Half – Team 1 Our first squad for the day: Max, Jethro, Drew, Harry, Alex, Will, Freddie, Jake, Izzie, James, Jonty, Casey & Louie. 1st try Rishworth, after some good play …