Rugby Union: Birkenhead Park 27 - 30 Rochdale

Rugby Union: Birkenhead Park v Rochdale

On a cold and breezy day at Birkenhead Park, Rochdale took on and beat the second in the league side.

The pitch was hard and the bouncing ball suited the Rochdale backs as they tested the Birkenhead’s defence in the early stages.

Birkenhead rely on a big experienced pack and they did their best to break down the stubborn Rochdale defence.

During the first 20 minutes Rochdale had several good breaks through Dick West, Travis Townsend and Josh Schofield, passes went down and efforts were stopped just short.

On the half hour Birkenhead had a line out on the Rochdale 10 metre line and with the help of a rolling maul got across the line for the first try, whihc was converted.

Rochdale gave away a penalty and the Birkenhead No. 10 slotted over from 40 metres.

A long restart was taken by Birkenhead and launched into the Rochdale 22. The line out was lost by the visitors and a good passing move saw Birkenhead in for a second try. No conversion.

With half time looming Rochdale took a high kick and broke through West, on to Townsend on the wing whoe was stopped on the line but the ball came free and backing up was Ross Hartley to score. The conversion attempt by Oli Coldman went just wide.

Right from the second half kick off Rochdale had the bit between their teeth and West broke through the centre, well supported by the pack, and getting the ball back in a nice move crashed over under the posts for a well-deserved try. Coldman converted.

An exchange of high kicks ended with Rochdale taking in the ball, which was filtered back through West in an overlapping move to Josh Schofield who outpaced the defence and scored a great try.

Rochdale had to defend as Birkenhead piled on the pressure to get back in front.

Another penalty on half way led to a line out on the 10-metre line which Birkenhead took and again used their sizeable pack to pile over for a converted try.

Ten minutes left and Rochdale were back on the attack in this pulsating match. A classy passing move saw the ball fall to Tom Callaghan who went over for a well-deserved try. Converted by Coldman.

Birkenhead were rocking and gave away another penalty on the 22. Up stepped Coldman and kicked with ease.

Birkenhead won a scum five metres out; the ball came through to the centre who crashed over wide on the left. The kicker placed the ball high and it veered away at the last minute one linesman gave it, the other contested, the ref decided it was wide - scores level at 27-27 wiht minutes to play.

Rochdale went on a final attack to try and secure the points but a Birkenhead forward deliberately knocked on and was yellow carded. The distance was 30 metres and right on the touchline but Coldman took aim and planted it over, much to the joy of his team mates and the travelling supporters.

A club spokesman said: "This was a great team performance and with a bonus point too was all coach Mick Gould could have asked for."