Saturday saw our first game in 3 weeks as we travelled south on Easter Saturday to face a strong Rochdale squad - despite their lowly league position they had a squad of 22 to use against a 17 man travelling party - once again assembled during the week by skipper Shane Weed.
Into the backs came Chris Russell at full back, Paddy Bowers was joined by his brother Matty in the centres, Jason Waterhouse and Dave Hones returned to the front row with Steve Graham making his club debut in the back row.
Playing on the showcase pitch at Rochdale - bad memories for the club as we lost the cup final last season on the same turf but a great start to the game saw 3 tries notched up in the opening 12 minutes.
The first try of the game saw Russell and Bowers link up with number 8 Dan Blenkharn also involved the move went down the right flank to allow winger Dale Lowrie to touch down. Five minutes later and the lead was doubled with the Carnforth scrum half making a great break through the middle to allow hooker Hones to show excellent support play to score for his 7th try of the season. Carnforths backs were enjoying plenty of ball with Russell, Paddy Bowers and Matty Bowers showing great skills in attack - the latter sent out a superb stinging pass to Lowrie on 12 minutes and the winger once again did the business in scoring, Mathew Short converted from the touchline.
Rochdale hit back with some great breaks of their own but the Carnforth defence stood firm, Donald Haddow, Matti Davenport and Ste Graham all putting in hard graft in the forwards. Line outs were going well against a much bigger pack with Davenport again excelling. Sam Tomlinson showed his full value to the squad - a player who has donned the full back/winger/centre/scrum half/hooker/flanker shirt today packed down in the second row alongside Davenport.
On the 25 minute mark, it was Short who cut a superb step inside the defence and despite the Rochdale attempts the Carnforth stand off was able to touch down and convert his own try. Minutes later and a superb pick up from Paddy Bowers saw the centre cut free and score a deserved try.
The hosts got rewarded for their efforts with a well worked try as Carnforth led 29 - 7 at half time.
Skipper Weed asked for much of the same but knew Rochdale would come at Carnforth early on and they know had the weather elements.
With Graham going in the bin early in the half Carnforth still rallied with 14 men, Waterhouse made a superb break up the middle of the pitch and with Blenkharn and Tomlinson to the fore Carnforth scored again. A well worked line out saw Waterhouse take the ball before Blenkharn was able to burst down the blind side - he drew the last man before offloading to Hones to notch his second of the day.
The hosts again hit back as they got on top - they used their strong bench wisely as Carnforth conceded penalty after penalty. However the try of the match came from Short, he received the ball on half way and set off on a gliding run up the pitch, he cut inside and then back outside before sprinting away for his 24th try of the season - a superb effort.
Rochdale then enjoyed plenty of time in the Carnforth 22, again Weed, Shaun Hodgson, Davenport and Haddow worked overtime in defence but eventually the pressure told with a 2nd try - again deserved for their efforts.
Tomlinson almost scored but was brought back for a forward pass whilst Hodgson almost made it two tries in two games from a quickly taken penalty.
The last play of the game was signalled with a Carnforth penalty - Paddy Bowers tapped and powered through the line for a 2nd try and a 44 - 12 victory in the penultimate game of the season.
Thanks to Rochdale for the hospitality and good luck to them for next season.
Carnforth - one game to go - away at Trafford MV this weekend - please all be available and lets finish the season strongly.