Forced changes for trip to ‘Port
ROCHDALE face a tough prospect if they are to follow up their victory against St Benedicts with another positive result this weekend.
They travel to in-form Stockport this afternoon.
After a splendid win last Saturday, Dale have had to make some changes through player unavailability.
Harry Hill comes off the bench to replace Rob Ward in the front row.
Will Birtwell and Mike Candler keep their positions in the back row and Harry Hayes is brought back up from the seconds.
Injuries still abound and with some not set to return until the new year, Dale may struggle through their next two games against the top sides.
Stockport were relegated last season and look as if they want to return to Level 5. They have lost only three games and sit in third position in the table.
Players meet 12 noon at the club for 2.15pm kick off.
T Callaghan, J Bradley, H Hill, Gui de Sousa, T Helliwell, W Birtwell, M Candler R Wadsworth, D Serridge, J Duffy, B Henry, O Coldman, J Schofield, T Townsend, J Flitcroft, J Bradley, H Hayes, J Willetts, TBA.
The second team travel to Macclesfield to take on Macc’s thirds.
Captain Jed Woolfenden sustained a possible long term injury to his right knee last week and has joined the swelling list of those in the treatment room. Kyle Parry comes in at hooker as they take on a side propping up the table.
Players meet 11.45 at the club.
P Swinden, K Parry, A O’Brien, B Coulter, S Barlow, A Riddell, J Holt, S Humphries, J Warburton, D James, D Needham, J
Rochdale’s third team are also away from home.
Dale are currently joint fifth place in the league with today’s opponents Blackburn 3’s. Last week’s game was called off because Clitheroe could not raise a team and were offered a walkover. This week will be much more of a tester. Players meet at 12.15pm at the club
A Beresford, J Hill, A Mullins, B Chapman, A Smith, D Smith, A Pope, D Smith, E Timlin, M Kluwe, K Humphries, A Burleigh,D Connor,W Greaves, J Gillighan, J Kershaw. TBC, TBC.
The four’s are the only home team this week and will want to get back to winning ways after last week’s no show against Old Bedians. Still third in their league today’s game against Toc H who are struggling near the bottom of the league will provide more points for Dale.
Players meet at club at 1.15pm
T Owens, J Owens, D Oglivie, A Richardson, S Maguire, B Reynolds, E Cooper, D Bamford, A Gillighan, Z Hartley, N Finnegan, J Spellacy, G Ross, others TBC.
Anyone unsure about selection, please turn up with your boots at the meeting time.