Rugby Union: Manchester 61 - 24 Rochdale

Josh Schofield, Rochdale RUFC

Manchester proved far too strong for an injury-changed Rochdale RUFC side that arrived for their second visit of the season at Grove Park.

Rochdale’s defence was tested from the start with strong runs from Brian Ndlovu and Jake Stewart only being stopped by determined tackling and a good relieving kick from Olllie Coldman.

Manchester were content to clear with the boot on most attacks with their fly half McCartney looking to get behind Rochdale’s defence with high kicks that tested the full back Coldman.

From one of these raids they broke through and only a desperate early tackle from Tom Helliwell stopped the rampaging Stewart, but the referee decided he was tackled without the ball and yellow carded the Rochdale second row.

From the penalty and line out, the ball was again punted over the rush defence and the Manchester winger Doug Day raced in for a try. Not converted.

Travis Townsend was having a good game at scrum half for Rochdale and made several breaks from the base of the scrum which Manchester struggled to stop.

Manchester scored when the Rochdale defence opened up as Ndlovu again powered through to score under the posts. The conversion went over.

Good Rochdale pressure led to Blair Henry being stopped just short of the line.

Plenty of Rochdale possession saw a penalty awarded in front of the posts and Coldman made no mistake.

Runs by Townsend and Josh Schofield kept the Manchester defence busy with Coldman trying the same tactic as the home side.

A high kick was taken by Blair Henry coming inside from his wing but he was hit high and late by Ndlovu. Although Henry was out cold for several minutes the referee did not penalise Ndlovu, to the amazement of the travelling supporters.

After a five-minute delay the game resumed with Henry off the field. With no backs replacement available it fell to captain Tom Callaghan to come off the bench and go into the pack.

Schofield was again in action, too quick for most of the Manchester side, only a cynical tackle by Ndlovu stopped him.

Manchester were back on the attack but a loose pass in their own half led to Schofield intercepting to score from 30 metres. Coldman provided the extra points.

Following another run by Townsend, the ball was dropped and from the resulting scrum Manchester got the ball to winger Day, who scored by the posts despite desperate Rochdale defence. The try was converted.

Half time: Manchester 19 - 10 Rochdale

The second half started with Rochdale pressing.

Manchester were penalised for a man tackled in the air at a Rochdale line out.

Following another penalty for offside, the referee warned the Manchester captain about repeated infringements.

After another Schofield break, the ball was lost on half way and Manchester made the most of their chance; it was the ever-present Day who scored and converted his own try.

Ndlovu battered his way through the Rochdale defence to score under the posts.

The free kick count against Manchester continued to grow with a penalty for feeding at the scrum, a rare event these days, followed by a deliberate obstruction on half way.

Despite being down to 14 men, when Townsend was hurt in a tackle, Rochdale got a well-deserved try when Coldman fed Willetts to score under the posts.

Manchester were throwing the ball around looking for the gaps when a loose pass on half way fell to Schofield; he took the ball 30 metres to score a third Rochdale try. Converted by Coldman.

From the re-start Rochdale had the ball in their own 22 but a sloppy pass led to an almost identical interception try for Manchester. Converted by Day.

Despite their best efforts and being down to 13 men, Rochdale hung on until finally the Manchester scrum half, Ding, sneaked in to score in the corner. Well converted from the touchline.

Day had a big say in the next try as he broke from a tackle and fed Ndlovu for his second try.

Ndlovu rounded off his day by scoring in the final minute and converting.

Next Saturday Rochdale entertain newly promoted Carlisle at Moorgate Avenue.