Rugby Union: Winnington Park 20 - 15 Rochdale

On a windy cold afternoon in mid-Cheshire, in a game punctuated by free kicks and stoppages, Rochdale failed to score a try for the first time since their last encounter with Park in September, which ended in a boring 3-0 loss at home.

From the outset the referee was out to stamp his authority on the game and awarded the home side a penalty on the Rochdale 22 metre line in front of the posts which was scored putting Winnington 3-0 up after only three minutes.

Rochdale were soon back on the attack and again the referee intervened with a penalty for offside 30 metres out which Ollie Coldman converted to make the score 3-3 after five minutes.

The next attack saw the irrepressible Shaun Needham break away from his tackler with an old-fashioned hand off and he streaked 30 yards to be stopped on the home 22 metre line. The referee awarded another penalty to Rochdale at the break down and Coldman, cool as ever slotted the kick to make it 3-6 with only 10 minutes gone.

 

 

This could have been a classic game as Winnington using their big pack to batter the Rochdale defence but great tackling from wing forwards Ross Hartley and Beltus Nonleh held them firm. Hartley was having a good game in attack too and from the base of the scrum he fed Needham who broke through only to be stopped just short of the line.

Hartley had come to the referee’s notice and after several warnings for creeping offside he was yellow carded and had ten minutes to cool off.

In this time Winnington Park came back into the game and only great tackles from full back Jimmy Flitcroft and wing Blair Henry stopped powerful breaks into the Rochdale 22.

On the half hour the big Park wing forward Treacy burst through to score an unconverted try 8-6.

Rochdale bounced back with a great steal from Nonleh from the re-start, the ball got to the winger, but he was tackled into touch.

Another offside penalty saw Winnington back in the Rochdale half but they in turn were penalized and Rochdale reached half way and battled forward to the 22 metre line where the whistle came out again, and Coldman had a good chance to make it 8-9 as half time approached, he stroked the ball over despite a driving shower and high cross wind.

Rochdale had a great drive forward led by Travis Townsend and Needham on the 22. A penalty was awarded against the home side, which was taken as a tap and go with the Rochdale pack forcing the game to five metres from the lime but Park were penalized for collapsing the scrum right in front of the posts. Coldman obliged and the half time score was a healthy 8-12 to Rochdale well deserved but no tries despite Needham’s best efforts.

Tom Callaghan and Alex Isherwood came on to bolster the pack although it must be said the young front row, especially Josh Grundy had held their own against more experienced opponents.

 

 

Rochdale reached the Winnington 22 metre line and yet another offside penalty was awarded, albeit from the touchline, was no problem for Coldman who had his kicking boots on as he slotted with ease to make the score 8-15 and things looking good for Rochdale.

Rochdale had some defending to do against the drives of the home sides huge pack and a series of penalties saw Park creep ever nearer the line. The referee had been watching the Rochdale tackling and seemed to find something wrong, he spoke to both captains but in the next ruck Rochdale were seen to have brought the play down inside the 5m area for a third time and he awarded a penalty try.

The score was now 15-15 and this changed the game as Winnington, urged on by their supporters, pushed Rochdale hard, a high kick was knocked on by Flitcroft and the five metre scrum saw Park drive over for a forwards try, 20-15.

Minutes later a second yellow card saw substitute Isherwood given his marching orders. Playing the last 10 minutes with 14 men, Rochdale battered the home sides try line with a series of great attacks which saw them camped in front of the opponents posts and despite a series of penalties for the same offences they had been deemed guilty of in the first half no cards were issued and a penalty try not given.

In a final scrum and push the ball was fumbled at the back of the scrum and the referee blew for time much to the relief of the home supporters.

A great game spoiled by constant stoppages, Rochdale will feel aggrieved, but tries win matches and this time they had none to show for a lot of effort.

Shaun Needham and Travis Townsend excelled while Ollie Coldman’s kicking was faultless.

Next Saturday it's Glossop at home for the first team and another must win affair with the Derbyshire side snapping at Rochdale’s heels.