Rochdale RUFC 17 - 15 Eccles

Rochdale RUFC

Rochdale overcame a strong, spirited Eccles side in the wintry conditions at Moorgate.

Rochdale kicked off in confident fashion on the Eccles 22. The line-out was fumbled by Eccles and Andy Donoghue charged through the visitors' line. When eventually stopped he was well supported by his fellow forwards and a solid driving maul saw Chris Hodgkinson claim a strong forwards try. In the wild, blustery wind the conversion fell short.

A short but severe hail squall battered players and spectators alike and reminded all that it is the middle of winter. It also served to sting Eccles into action and they kept up a sustained period of pressure pinning Rochdale in their own 22. Finally the pressure yielded a penalty which half-back Oakey duly slotted over.

It was Rochdale's turn to perk up and quick hands from Mair and Coldman put Schofield away to run deep into the visitors' 22 but the Eccles cover smothered the chance.

The Rochdale forwards supported a break by Tom Hindle and Sean Needham, but again the tough Ecccles defence held firm and cleared with a big boot from full-back Davies.

The ball bounced luckily for Rob Willets on the Rochdale left wing and the young colt danced his way past three would-be tacklers and deep into the visitors' 22.

Under pressure, the Eccles defence were guilty of a bit of obstruction and shirt- pulling, but it was the tempestuous reaction of the young Rochdale hooker which caught the eye of the referee and earned the yellow card.

Rochdale Coach Gould rang the changes, moving Harry Hill to hooker and bringing on the strength and experience of Dale Slamon, sacrificing the mobility of Hodgkinson for the ten minutes. Eccles suffered their own misfortune at the same time with their young open-side, Jordan Bromley having to leave the field with a shoulder injury.

Eccles regained the initiative through their spirited forwards who gave their backs plenty of opportunity to stretch the Rochdale defence, which they did for the whole of the yellow period. The Rochdale defence stayed calm and resolute and held the line intact.

Back to full strength Donogue broke from a scrum and charged out of the 22. The Eccles cover hauled him down and in the ruck that followed Rochdale gave away a needless penalty. Eccles kicked for a line-out on the five metre line. They controlled the catch and drive and forced their way over for powerful try wide out. The kick proved fruitless in the wind.

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 5 - 8 Eccles

The second half opened with a flurry of activity and both sides trying to play running rugby in appalling conditions. It was bold, exciting fare for the brave supporters and they were pleased enough to forgive the occasional forced fumble from frozen fingers.

Play ebbed and flowed between the 22s but it was the defences which were prevailing until, fifteen minutes into the half, Eccles provided a glimpse of class. Their inside backs executed a well-rehearsed move to leave the Rochdale defence flat-footed and allow full-back Davies to squirt over for a try under the posts. At short range Oakey added the extras.

Rochdale needed an immediate reply and pressured the catch from the kick-off. Good reactions from Hill and Bradley secured early ball and scrum half Townsend linked with his backs and quick passing gave Schofield the edge on the outside curve to scoot in for a vital score. Coldman added the conversion from 25 metres out.

As both teams battled for a vital edge it was Eccles' turn to collect a yellow card for handling in a ruck. Rochdale elected for the scrum and broke blind through full-back Flitcroft. When tackled he had Hindle and Johnson on hand to win early possession for half-back Townsend to sweep the ball to his midfield backs. Centres, Mair and Schofield, held their concentration and with two quick, accurate passes gave wingman Willets just enough space to round his opposite number and fly in at the corner ahead of the cover to give Rochdale the lead. The wind gave Coldman no chance with the conversion.

Rochdale could not press home their advantage any further as the resilient Eccles team tightened their defence and rallied with the return to full complement.

The final ten minutes saw Eccles throw everything at the Rochdale line but a determined, organised defence held out and won the day.

Rochdale earned their victory but Eccles will feel a little disappointed with just a single losing bonus point for their efforts on such a winter's day.