Rugby Union: Rochdale RUFC 37 - 28 Manchester

Dan Hay
Rochdale RUFC v Manchester

In a pulsating game at Moorgate Avenue, Rochdale beat Manchester gaining revenge for two early season maulings in the cup and league.

With a re-modelled pack Rochdale were hoping to use their backs to get the game flowing and test the visitors defence to the full.

The reality was different as Manchester came at Rochdale with a big pack and hard running backs, especially the Noar Tiatia who broke through the home defence with ease creating lots of chances.

The replacement hooker for Rochdale was Ross Hartley returning from injury but out of his usual position of flanker.

Captain Tom Callaghan was missing but second row Tom Helliwell returned gave strength to the pack and line outs.

Manchester opened the scroing with a penalty, the first of many penalties given to Manchester.

Right from the re-start Manchester put together a good passing move and despite a good tackle from Travis Townsend they crossed the line for a  converted try.

This looked ominous for Rochdale and even more so another Manchester penalty was converted by Douglas Day.

Townsend dashed round the back of a Rochdale scrum on the 22-metre line and passed to Josh Schofield who outpaced his opposite number to score under the posts. James Duffy converted.

Rattled, Manchester gave away a series of lost line outs and soft penalties the last of which saw Duffy chance a kick from fully 40 metres out to score.

With half time approaching the Rochdale backs Townsend, Schofield and Jimmy Flitcroft combined to score a try in the corner. The conversion went wide.

There was just time for another Manchester penalty in front of the posts when Dom Macklin was yellow carded. The kick went over.

Half time: Rochdale RUFC 37 - 28 Manchester

The second half started much as the same as the first with the big Manchester pack battering away at the Rochdale defence.

Rochdale conceded another penalty on the five-metre line after a missed tackle out wide. The Manchester winger went over for a try but the conversion went wide.

Rochdale were soon back on the attack with the pack matching their opposite numbers and the ball going wide in a series of passes leaving a two man overlap. A high pass was well taken high above his head by Townsend who crashed over to score. Duffy added the extra two points from the touch line.

It was all Rochdale now and the with the Manchester defence tiring.

A tight passing move, with Schofield and Hartley combining, bored a hole in the Manchester back line and Hartley nipped through for a  touchdown close to the posts. Duffy converted.

Manchester became undisciplined and the referee was forced to produce a second yellow card of the day for a cynical knock on by the visitors second row. Duffy slotted a good kick over.

The next 10 minutes were frantic with both sides going all out. Several penalties saw Manchester reach the Rochdale 22 where Duffy had a clearance kick charged down. From the resulting attack the Mnachester scrum half went in to score a converted try.

With minutes to go Rochdale were on the attack again with another good passing move. Dom Macklin pounced on the line to score. Duffy was on the mark again.