Rugby Union: Carlisle RUFC - 31 - 12 Rochdale RUFC

James Duffy tackled - Rochdale RUFC

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Rochdale came back from the long journey to a sunny Warwick Road in Carlisle without the points.

This was the first time Rochdale had met the Cumbrian side on their own ground since the floods of 2015 which almost destroyed the clubhouse and playing surfaces.

Carlisle had a heavy defeat at Vale of Lune last week and Rochdale enjoyed a rare victory against Manchester. Both sides had need of the points as was evident from the kick off.

Carlisle, with a big pack, play traditional rugby and were soon testing the Rochdale defence.

Ten minutes gone and the play was all in the Rochdale half with two scrums awarded on the five metre line. Rochdale defended doggedly, but eventually a push over try was awarded to Carlisle. The conversion was good.

From the re-start Rochdale could, and should, have been level when Josh Schofield beat several defenders. The ball went out to Travis Townsend who beat his marker to release Blair Henry on the wing. Townsend  beat the full back but was tackled and lost the ball on the try line.

Rochdale were still on the attack when they were awarded a penalty kick in front of the posts but James Duffy, normally very reliable from close range, missed the mark - a let off for Carlisle.

After 20 minutes and series of penalties against Rochdale led to a scrum on the ten metre line, and saw the same eight man rugby tactic succeed for the home side with an unconverted try.

From the kick off the ball was dropped by the Carlisle prop and a high kick from Duffy fell to Blair Henry on the wing. This time he made up for the earlier error by beating his man then slipping the ball inside for Jimmy Flitcroft to score. The conversion was good from Duffy.

With both sides gave everything in a battle of defences, a scrum to Rochdale on the Carlisle 22 saw the ball go blind to Dom Serridge who darted through the Cumbrian’s defence to score an individual try. The conversion fell just short.

Carlisle needed to up the pace and taking advantage of a series of penalties advanced on the Rochdale line using their powerful pack to get back in the game before half time.

Rochdale’s defence was superb, and all Carlisle got for their efforts was to see the Cumbrian referee show a yellow card to Gui Desusa.

The minutes ticked by and as the half ran into its 50th minute the referee blew without Carlisle getting over the line.

Half time: Carlisle RUFC 12 -12 Rochdale RUFC

Rochdale were defending from the outset of the second half  and after ten minutes conceded in front of the posts - after a series of penalties and scrums to Carlisle their second row crashed over for a converted try.

Rochdale committed the basic error of not being behind the kicker from the re-start, which spotted by the referee and more ground was lost.

Solid defence and the occasional break saw the Rochdale backs knocking on the door without getting into the danger areas.

The Carlisle number 10 lofted a high kick, which knocked forward by Rochdale defenders and a scrum led to another Carlisle pack-based try under the posts.

In the last minute, a hopeful cross field boot was taken on the right wing by the Carlisle captain Tom Graham, who had inspired his side all afternoon, to score the final points.