Kirkby Lonsdale 22 - 17 Rochdale RUFC

Kirkby Lonsdale 22 - 17 Rochdale: Dom Serridge

Kirkby Lonsdale proved to be well worth their top three league position as they emerged 22-17 winners against Rochdale in an exciting and hard fought contest.

In the bright sunshine Kirkby Lonsdale showed their intent from the kick off as they moved the ball quickly through the hands across the field. The Rochdale defence was tested out wide and then through the forwards.

Kirby continued to keep good position and eventually out -flanked the Rochdale defence wide on the right. The conversion attempt failed narrowly but the score was 5 -0 after just five minutes.

Rochdale had made a poor start but showed their spirit as Schofield and Flitcroft combined in the centre to break the home defence and send the ball to left wing Blair Henry who was tackled by the number 22.

The ball came quickly back and Jimmy Flitcroft made a clean break to hand on to James Duffy who was held up just a metre short. Kirkby were awarded a scrum and cleared to their 22.

Tom Helliwell won the line out and Flitcroft made another half- break and linked cleverly with Chris Hodgkinson who drove hard for the line for a fine try. Olly Coldman added the conversion.

From the restart Kirby Lonsdale drove Rochdale deep into their own 22 but strong work over the ball from Tom Hindle gave Rochdale a penalty and a chance to clear the danger.

John Bradley was proving accurate with his line out delivery and Hodgkinson provided the ball for scrum half Dom Surridge to move it quickly to his backs who timed their passes well to allow young Rob Willetts to break clear and run deep into home territory. The Kirkby defence was quick to recover and he was bundled into touch on the 22.

Kirkby drove hard from the line out but a strong tackle by Leo Frechou looked to have given Rochdale the advantage but Kirkby managed to keep possession and their lively scrum half broke to the visitors 22 line.

Rochdale were awarded a scrum and a good pickup and drive by Hodgkinson allowed Duffy to clear to the 10 metre line.

Kirkby won their line out and drove hard through their lively forwards.

A penalty was awarded and their number 9 was quick to react but was well tackled by John Bradley. He stood strong over the ball until counter rucking by the home side regained the momentum and good quick hands provided their right wing with a try wide - out. The Kirkby standoff was accurate with the conversion 12-7.

Harry Hill replaced Dale Slamon who was suffering from a chest infection.

From the restart Rochdale mis-fielded in the bright sunshine but managed to win the scrum for Duffy to clear.

Sean Needhan won the line out and burst clear. The cover defence dragged him down but were penalised. Duffy reacted quickly with a half break but his offload pass was forward.

Kirby won their scrum and their number 8 broke strongly only to be well tackled by Tom Hindle. They managed to keep possession and clear to the 10 metre line.

Helliwell won the line-out and Rochdale attacked through their forwards.

Under pressure Kirkby gave away a penalty 40 metres out and the confident Coldman cooly slotted the long kick.

Captain Tom Callahan collected the restart and drove strongly out of defence.

Frechou collected a yellow card for going straight to ground.

Kirkby kicked to the five metre line. Hodgkinson won the ball and cleared out of his 22. A rare scrappy line-out was tidied up by scrum half Surridge to end the half.

Half time: Kirkby Lonsdale 12 - 10 Rochdale RUFC

Kirby Lonsdale started the secnd half as they had in the first, in a lively and determined mode.

A solid tackle by Schofield stopped the flow momentarily but Kirkby were not to be denied. They pressed home their advantage of an extra man to out flank the Rochdale defence and score wide out. The conversion failed.

Kirkby continued the pressure varying their attack through forwards and backs in an exciting brand of running rugby.

Rochdale tried desperately to upset the Kirkby rhythm and finally a double tackle from Callaghan and Flitcroft won them possession and Duffy was able to clear.

Rochdale showed their own skills when Schofield fashioned a half break for Coldman to use quick feet to break clear but the Kirkby cover defence was able to snuff out the danger and clear into the Rochdale half. Kirkby pressed home their advantage to cross wide out. The kick was wide. 

Rochdale came back with Flitcroft providing the 200 strong crowd with a little extra entertainment as he juggled the ball with three touches before holding onto it; only to be brought down five metres short.

Kirkby were awarded the the scrum and cleared their line. They moved back into attack and reached the Rochdale 22.

It was proving a pulsating and entertaining game. Rochdale played their part and moved the ball to Willetts on the right wing and then across to Henry on the left.

A line out 15 metre out saw Needham take the ball and drive through to the five metre line where Birtwell was on hand to cross for the try. Coldman added the extras to bring the final score to 22-17.

The confident Kirkby Lonsdale outfit were good value for their win but Rochdale had played a strong supporting role to gather a precious bonus point in a pulsating contest.