Another good win!

Dale 2's maintain good home form to beat Trafford Metrovick

Rossendale 2 v Trafford Metrovick 2

Rossendale 2’s played at a muddy Marl Pits today against Trafford Metrovick who beat them 57-7 earlier in the season.
Trafford showed signs of their previous dominance early on when a penalty on the Dale 22 was exploited to give them a 0-3 lead.
Dale won a penalty just after the restart and kicked for the corner.
James Sharratt kicked for the corner and the line-out resulted in a push over and try for Duncan Horrocks. James Sharratt converted. 7-3.
The kick off was kept in skilfully by Jordan Lord on the touchline, he ran infield and held on well until Trafford were once again penalised.
The kick to the corner was again successful but Dale knock on at the line out to gift Trafford a way out.
Dale were strong in the 5m scrum and when the ball spewed out the back Jake Mann pounced from scrum half to touch down. James Sharratt converted. 14-3.
With Trafford’s front row suffering injuries it was decided to move to uncontested scrums, no bad thing given the conditions underfoot.
Jordan Lord takes the ball up-field and a great offload sets Dale on their way again.
The ball is passed out wide and Jack Crowder skins the winger but gets caught by the fullback. He holds on to the ball too long and Trafford are let off.
With the last play of the half Dale were awarded a penalty, which was narrowly missed to the right of the uprights.
Half Time, 14-3.
The second half was quiet and Dale took the opportunity to introduce some fresh legs with Ben Dawber and Nick Street coming on for Luke Morley and Joe Andrew.
In their best move of the game Trafford slipped the ball out wide right for their winger to score. 14-8.
Trafford sensed that one try could win it for them and were definitely raising their game and, when a penalty decision was reversed for backchat, they gained even more momentum.
The Dale defence was now being well and truly tested until the turnover of the game from Matt Jackson got the hosts moving again.
Several quick pickups gained almost half a pitch and the momentum swung again in Dale’s favour.
Nick Street peeled off a 5m scrum to score but the referee saw a knock-on.
Street got his try minutes later to open up a lead they would not relinquish.
19-8 was the full time score and Dale make this their second consecutive win against opposition higher in the league.
Man of the match today was once again close with Sharratt, Jackson and Morley all having great games but team captain, Richard Horrocks was considered the best for his hard work and leadership.
Next week is local rivals Rochdale who sit top of the league but I would not rule out another upset if the Dale lads keep playing as they have for the last 2 weeks.