Saturday saw the visit of Rochdale 3rds to Kellet Road with Carnforth looking to keep in touch with Penrith and Clitheroe at the top of 3 North. This they did with 16 tries and in doing so moved to the top of the league on points difference. Rochdale arrived early and looked the keener of the two teams in the warm ups with Carnforth turning up in dribs and drabs - not ideal preparation.
Skipper Shane Weed again had to rally round in the week to obtain a squad of players with Sam Griffiths the latest debutant. Nick Hamer, Ollie Braithwaite, Chris Whaley, Olly Murray and Liam Hall all returned to the squad.
Games like these are difficult for both teams - we have been on the end of some of these drubbings in recent years, Birchfield and Pendle just two in recent seasons, these defeats are not nice for any team but every credit to Rochdale as they never gave up and committed themselves to the cause for the full duration of the game - a huge credit to the Rochdale club.
Tries were scored at regular intervals with Carnforth able to run the ball from their own half - the handling and support play was superb. Sam Tomlinson made the initial break in the game as Whaley was involved early on also to allow number 8 Jason Short to burst over for the first try. Nick Hamer and Joe Harrison linked in the backs to allow full back Mathew Short to score his first of the day, his conversion went over also. Rochdale hit back well and were rewarded with a try. Winger Dale Lowrie took the ball in his own half, a kick ahead saw him win the chase to scoop up and score out wide, this was followed by a try for Hamer after good work from Short, Jason Waterhouse and Short.
Murray got in on the act with a well worked try as the centre was able to burst clear and score.
Leading upto the interval and tries were also scored by Waterhouse, hooker Dave Hones and two more each fro Mathew Short and Hamer who both completed their hat-tricks in the first half.
65 - 5 up at half time as Weed was able to use his bench wisely , Braithwaite and Whaley opted to help out Rochdale as their injuries mounted and we thank them for that to keep the game at 15 a side.
Liam Hall scored a typical try with a barn storming surge down the pitch as Donald Haddow took over kicking duties. Lowrie and Jason Short both notched their 2nd tries with Dan Blenkharn and Griffiths also getting in on the act, Mathew Short added a conversion to the last try to bring up the century of points.
For the record the points scorers were, Nick Hamer (3 tries), Mathew Short (3 tries / 6 conversions), Jason Short (2 tries), Dale Lowrie (2 tries and 1 conversion), Liam Hall, Jason Waterhouse, Dave Hones, Olly Murray, Sam Griffiths and Dan Blenkharn one try each. Donald Haddow added 3 conversions.
Once again thanks to the Rochdale players.
This week we travel to Capenhurst for the 2nd round of the Bowl Comp.
Man of the Match - Dave Hones
Match Sponsor - Ernie Keates