Rugby Union: Rochdale RUFC 37 - 14 St Benedict’s

Gui de Sousa - Rochdale Rugby Union

Rochdale Rugby Union defeated St Benedict’s on Saturday. On arrival at Rochdale the Cumbrian side lay bottom of the league, but only two points below Rochdale.

Rochdale opened the scoring when Gui de Sousa made a break from a scrum on the St Benedict’s 22 and let the ball go wide to Josh Schofield whose speed, and footwork were too much for the visitor’s defence and he scored wide on the right. The conversion attempt by Coldman went wide.

A high tackle stopped Rochdale adding to the try tally but a penalty awarded after the second-high tackle was kicked by Coldman.

Another Rochdale penalty went wide from the normally reliable boot of Coldman.

St Benedict's opned their account when a break from a scrum on the Rochdale 22 led to a good passing move and a score on the left wing. The try was converted.

Rochdale went down to 14 men when winger Blair Henry went sent off for 10 minutes.

The play by both sides was scrappy for the rest of the half, but Rochdale's Jimmy Flitcroft scored under the posts just before half time. Converted by Coldman.

Half time: Rochdale 15 - 7 St Benedict’s

Rochdale again had lots of ball but failed to punish their opponents until Schofield got on the end of a charged down clearance kick. With a series of football style kicks he made it to the St Benedict’s line to score his second try. The conversion again wide.

Coldman was in the action again with a relieving kick from half way which saw Rochdale forcing a knock on from the visitors on their own five metre line. A scrum was won and the ball came to Flitcroft, who outpaced the tiring defence to score his second and Rochdale’s fourth try securing much needed bonus points. The conversion attempt hit the upright.

Next on the score sheet for Rochdale was Dom Serridge; he popped up just wide of the posts after good work from Tom Callaghan and de Sousa, to score. Converted by Coldman.

St Benedict’s poor discipline again cost them as a high tackle on James Willetts saw them down to 14 for the last 10 minutes.

Rochdale scored again when a good break by Callaghan was picked up and moved down the line for a score in the corner.

There was just time for St Benedict's to add a consolation try.