Rugby Union: Rochdale U14s 19 - 17 Littleborough U14s

The final round of the u14s Lancashire Junior Cup saw Rochdale playing local rivals Littleborough for the third time this season. Having been on the wrong end of two defeats, Rochdale were hungry for a victory in this encounter and Littleborough were hoping to maintain their 100% record over their local rivals.

The conditions were ideal for both teams to show their attacking flair, Rochdale played into the wind in the first half and began by going through the phases, Taylor Hartley, and Garrett Myers shouldered the majority of the ball carrying but were ably supported by Joel Rigby, Kai Potter and Paddy Kershaw. Ben Sunderland, Chris McConnell and Charlie Bleackley cleared the rucks and secured some turn overs to ensure the ball came back for the next attack.

Littleborough have an all court game and can make inroads through both forwards and backs as conditions dictate. They are also a very good counter attacking team and, when a Rochdale back move broke down, they fielded the ball and made good ground into the Rochdale 22. From sustained pressure and several tap penalties Littleborough were first onto the score board after a strong carry by Jake Coupe which resulted in a try. The conversion was missed.

Back came Rochdale and, through a combination of backs and forwards, it was now their turn to exert pressure on the Littleborough line which was eventually breached by Paddy Kershaw for his first try of the season. Mitchell Holt converted and Rochdale led 7-5.

Both teams were using their forwards to get over the gain line before releasing the backs to run into space. However, both defences were holding firm and it looked like Rochdale would take their lead into half time.

Unfortunately for Rochdale an attacking move broke down in the opposition 22 and the ball was scooped up by Ben Williamson who cut through the defence and rounded the Rochdale full back to score an 80-metre breakaway try. Jacob Brady score the conversion for Littleborough.

Despite being 7-12 down at half time, Rochdale knew that if they exploited the conditions, they could pin Littleborough back and the points would come. Littleborough kept patiently hammering away at the Rochdale line until they were finally rewarded with their third try scored by Ben Crabtree. The conversion was missed and with the score 7-17 the game could have easily slipped away from Rochdale but, to their credit, they began to use the conditions and contained Littleborough in their own 22.

Strong running down the middle from Nick Wright, Will Simmons, James Tasker and Josh Clarke kept the pressure on, ably supported by Ollie Simpson, Matt Pendlebury, Matt Dearden, Zac Baker, Ben Kershaw and Danny Nobis out wide. Credit also to Rochdale’s handling, as they smashed away at the Littleborough line, and Littleborough’s defence for constantly repelling them. Something, however, had to give and eventually Holt barged over from a couple of metres out for Rochdale’s second try and took the score to 12-17.

Rochdale were now within a converted try of taking the lead and even though Littleborough were still a threat, and had several breakouts, they were finding it difficult to maintain field position in the opposition half. These opportunities would be rued in the end, as with the game entering the final minutes and the rain beginning to fall, Rochdale laid siege to the Littleborough line.

Good forward play from Brad Rowley, James O'Connell, Sonny Joyce and Bendan Hankinson forced a penalty and from the resultant quick tap Myers was able to force his way over and tie the scores. That left Holt a tricky kick to win the game. He was up to the task and the match finished with a 19-17 win for Rochdale in what was a hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining match, played in the right spirit.

Whilst the Littleborough players were obviously gutted by the loss, the team coaches, manager, and parents all were proud of the skills and effort that was on show during the game.   

Littleborough clubman of the week award was awarded to James Devine who had his best game for a long while at No 10, and got the team out of trouble with some great kicks. He also turned up armed with birthday cake for the boys, which they demolished in the changing room after the game.   

Special mentions also to Luke Jones who continues to improve week on week in the full back position, to Bradley Chrimes who was awesome in both attack and defence, and to the forwards pack in general. 

Rochdale’s Man of the Match was awarded to Garrett Myers for another outstanding performance, but this was all about the team and the sheer will to perform to the best of their abilities.

Rochdale Squad:
Garrett Myers, Kai Potter, James O’Connell, Joel Rigby, Paddy Kershaw, Taylor Hartley, Chris McConnell, Sonny Joyce, Bendan Hankinson, Charlie Bleackley, Brad Rowley, Ben Sunderland, Matthew Dearden, Mitchell Holt, James Tasker, Matty Pendlebury, Will Simmons, Zak Baker, Ben Kershaw, Daniel Nobis, Oliver Simpson, Nick Wright, Josh Clarke.

Littleborough Squad: 
Charlie Bell, Jacob Brady, Bradley Chrimes, Jake Coupe, Ben Crabtreee, James Devine, Ethan Dewhurst, Tom Fenton, James Furnell, Luke Jones, Olly Mills, Tyler Mills, Will Rawlinson, Max Risby, Ruben Warburton, Ben Williams, Ben Williamson.