'Burn run riot over 'Dale

Terrific display all round the park!

First game of the new year and what a game. Right from the off Blackburn were playing like a team possessed, and their main demon came in the shape of newbie Toby, a young man who has been keen to start for us for weeks but has been hampered by a few illnesses. After pretty much demolishing the Rochdale ruck and maul defence single handed, the Munster monster took the stolen ball and placed it beyond the whitewash no fewer than 6 times in the 40 minutes he graced the field. Cork's loss is Blackburn's gain, and boy did we gain a whole lot of rugby player. He topped it off with a comment to Richard that he was still not feeling all that fit!!
The other 18 lads all seemed energised today, and to a man we were feeding off the chaos. Another relative newcomer Jayden, did not make the scoreboard but the yards he made from prop position, leaving Rochdale bodies strewn all over the park, was a sight to behold.
With all the forwards working so hard at the scrum and breakdown, our centre partnerships/combinations, previously tied up lending a hand in rucks and mauls, were free to run lines and attack space. Given their size and speed, it was no surprise to see Jacob and Theo fill their boots, the scoreboard (and me) losing the run of the score but easily 3 or 4 each. Arthur and James rounded with one each while its quite likely someone else has been plundering the endzone, but things were getting pretty tasty out there. As stated before the whole squad had a cameo today, Lucas popped up in full back position and had Rochdale grabbing for thin air, while our other U12 Seb, hooking like a mad thing in every scrum and due a mention for a good few assists, not far from Toby and the action all the time. Michael was a rock as always, while Chris and Tom were the usual chuckle brothers, creating a few headaches all round the park. Our other newbie, Callum did a grand job keeping up with the play despite never having seen a game at this close range before. In the back line, Harry continued to be a rock at full back, while Teddy did a sound job on his wing, before an attempt at head re-alignment forced him off. Having an embarrassment of riches at scrum half, with both Calum and Ivan driving the attack was a real delight, while Tom, once a permanent try scoring machine, pulled all the centre partnership strings beautifully, and led the line in open defence like a man possessed. Last but by no means least Johnny, facing a big end of season fine/punishment/forfeit for try avoidance, but putting in a great display of aggression all round the park.

A pleasure for everyone watching today (unless you were from Dale) up and at 'em again next weekend when we welcome Southport, lets kick on from here!