Rochdale RUFC 17 - 23 Warrington

Photo: Tim Taylor

Rochdale RUFC 17 - Warrington 23: Will Birtwell run

Rochdale's attempt to overturn Warrington's unbeaten record this season failed. Warrington had a well drilled team who have continued last year’s promotion success by averaging over forty points a game to head the league table. Rochdale ran them close for much of the game even without their two main strike runners and competed well to the end.

Rochdale ran the ball from the Warrington kick off but were under pressure when they lost their own line out. Warrington were quick to move the ball wide but were forced into touch.

Sean Needham made a good break from the line out and following kicks ahead by both teams Rob Willetts ran the ball forward well from deep. Warrington drove forward before Rochdale stole their line out thirty metres out to drive into their opponents 22 where they were held up.

Hooker Pat Philbin took the Warrington put in to the scrum allowing the home forwards to set up a series of drives that ended with captain Tom Callaghan crashing over for the opening try. Well converted by Oli Coldman.

Warrington quickly conceded a penalty allowing Rochdale a foothold in the Warrington half but a knock on gave Warrington the chance to take play back to the other end.

A scrum five metres out gave Rochdale the chance to clear their line but the number eight decided to pick up and run and unfortunately lost the ball in the tackle.

Warrington quickly spread the ball wide for their right wing to score but too wide out for a successful conversion.

The remainder of the half was end-to-end rugby with no side making the break through.

With half time approaching Rochdale conceded a penalty, converted to give Warrington a one point lead.

Warrington caught the restart and attempted to kick clear but Rochdale managed to charge the kick down. In a stroke of good fortune, the ball fell straight into a visiting centres arms and he was able to break clear upfield and when challenged, kicked ahead with two of his fellow backs well placed to win the ball close to the Rochdale line.

Rochdale centre Josh Schofield, although not fully fit to play, showed his pace by overtaking the opposition players and kicking the ball dead, to give Warrington a great chance with the put in to a five metre scrum.

Winning the scrum, Warrington quickly passed to the right but were foiled by a knock on.

Rochdale won the resulting scrum and kicked to touch with four minutes of stoppage time already played but giving Warrington the chance to mount a final attack.

Rochdale had other ideas, winning the visitors line out, driving forward and kicking to touch to end the half as the referee had previously announced there were just thirty seconds play remaining.

In a second stroke of good fortune for Warrington, the referee inexplicably decided to allow play to continue, allowing Warrington to show just how dangerous they can be as a smart move resulted in a converted try

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 7 - 13 Warrington

Within minutes of the restart Warrington converted a penalty to increase their lead and the game continued with play flowing from end-to-end.

Midway through the half a Warrington player was unluckily yellow carded for a ‘tip tackle’ which gave Rochdale the edge on their visitors.

Driving well, the Rochdale forwards took play up to the Warrington line before an accidental offside stopped them.

However, once again Philbin stole the Warrington put in to the scrum, the home pack drove forward  and Andy Donoghue picked up and plunged over for the try. Well converted by Coldman.

Warrington were not disconcerted and within minutes set up an attack which the Rochdale defence appeared to have covered but a piece of individual skill saw Warrington’s Jamie Thompson jink through to score a converted try.

Stung by this reverse, Rochdale spent most of the remainder of the game on the attack but a well drilled Warrington defence held out with Rochdale’s sole reward a last minute penalty from Coldman to give them a losing bonus point.

This was another blow to Rochdale’s season but when their two main strike runners, Rob Neave and Jim Flitcroft, return to the side they should be a match for any team.