In-form Vale offer tough test for Dale

IN-FORM Vale of Lune are the visitors to Rochdale this week, fresh from beating Birkenhead Park who were previously undefeated this season.

This is another tough test for Dale after a great win at home to Altrincham last week.

Townsend’s winning try, move, and his experience last week were invaluable and he starts again. Gui DeSousa gets more practice in the second row and his size will be needed in one of the league’s smallest front eight.

The half-back pairing of Duffy and Serridge continues and West and Flitcroft will persist in trying to break the game line in the centre.

Dale still need to improve on last week’s win and all points are needed to climb out of the relegation area. second XV is improving.

Today’s opponents, Lymm, have won their opening three fixtures in the B division and will be a handful for the lads this week.

Captain Ged Woolfenden will continue to keep the spirit of the lads high for this away clash.

Pat Philbin is a welcome sight on the team list as he returns at hooker Steve Worrall and Paul Swinden provide plenty of experience and Aaron Riddell together with Hornby will be the driving force. Worrall, P Philbin, P Swinden, A Riddell, G Hornby, C Nield, W Birtwell, J Woolfenden, D Joesbury, James Willetts, D Needham, J Mair, R Clegg, A Howorth, J Reynold, D Murphy,B Crossley, T Porter.

For the third XV it’s the quarter final of the Lighting and Building Services Bowl at home.

M Bowe ©, J MacDougal, D Flynn, D Smith, A Beresford, A Pope, L Wild, L Freshou, E Timlin, D O’Shea, W Greaves, S Campbell, J Finnegan, J Watson, A Derbyshire.

John Gilligan had a bad injury last week playing for the fourth team and he is unavailable this week.