Duffy the architect of last-gasp drama
ROCHDALE maintained their superb run of form to move up to fifth in Lancs/ Cheshire Division 1 after a narrow victory at Leigh.
On a bright, sunny day at Round Ash Park, Dale extended their unbeaten run to six games.
They started without Ollie Coldman and prop Harry Hill but welcomed back Travis Townsend and newcomer Josh Grundy with James Duffy back from injury on the bench.
The early exchanges showed that Leigh, smarting after a heavy defeat at Bowdon last week, were going to be no pushovers.
Their big pack looked dangerous going forward and their backs good in possession.
Still, it was a confident opening from the visitors.
Townsend took a high kick well and made good ground before being stopped on half way. The ball was lost and Leigh were on the attack but they kicked deep and possession was gathered by Jimmy Flitcroft at full back who glided through the home defence before delivering a high kick through. The ball was well collected and attack turned to defence, underlining the fact that this was going to be a tough day, and so it turned out.
Despite having all the possession, Dale lost the ball several times through poor passing and bad choices going forward.
Leigh defended gamely and despite Beltus Nonleh new prop Grundy and Shaun Needham battering at the line, the game remained scoreless.
And it was the home side who drew first blood with a quick counter attack from a lost line out on half way.
A good passing move saw the Leigh winger go in in the corner for an unconverted try after 20 minutes.
Dale had a good chance to bounce back with a penalty on 30 metres but stand in kicker Matt Buckley just failed to find the mark.
They kept pressing and again it was Needham, supported by Chris Hodgkinson and Nonleh, who was stopped on the line this time, meaning another penalty in front of the posts. It proved no bother for Buckley who slotted to make it 5-3 on the half hour.
Leigh had the next good chance. Straight from the kick off they won a dropped ball and made for the line. They were held up by some heroic defence from the Dale backs but the referee saw an infringement and awarded a penalty on the 22.
The kick looked good but struck the posts, Townsend gathered and cleared beyond half way, and the ref had seen enough and blew for half time at 5-3 in Leigh’s favour.
The second half started well for Dale.
Determined to strike early they won a free kick on the Leigh 22 but lost the line out – not for the first time – and were soon having to defend.
Leigh chose to kick through and the ever present Flitcroft took the ball, advanced to half way then hoisted the ball over the home defence only to see it just run into touch.
An offence at the lineout gave Dale the scrum and they pushed almost to the line but again a dropped pass saw the Leigh pack pounce and run forward. The ball was again lost and it was Dale on the break to the Leigh 22, where a penalty scrum to Dale saw Hodgkinson peel from the back and charge through the home defenders to score a great try.
The conversion from Buckley drifted just wide but the visitors were in front for the first time at 5-8.
Dale were banging on the door now and Nonleh, Needham and Ben Coulter all had good breaks, causing Leigh to give away several penalties.
Leigh weren’t finished yet and another lost line out and a dropped pass by Dale saw them break down the right wing and score a good try, again unconverted, making it 10-8 with 10 minutes to go.
Dale coach Danny Collins rang the changes, bringing on prop Dale Slamon and Harry Hayes with James Duffy joining them a few minutes later for Matt Buckley.
Pressure was again building and with Duffy linking with the forwards Dale crossed the 22 and had a great chance to go over only for the move to be ruled out by the ref for a knock on.
There was more trouble for Leigh as their wing forward was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on.
After a good line out on the Leigh 22, Dale moved the ball across field and won a scrum under the posts. After a big push it looked as if Coulter was over but held up was called and another scrum saw the ball played back to Duffy on the 22 who slotted a perfect drop goal, almost on the final whistle, in a finish with shades of Jonny Wilkinson’s 2003 heroics, Dale winning the contest 10-11.
This was a tough test for Dale who proved their never say die attitude again saw them through.
There were many good performances but Jimmy Flitcroft stood out, well done to the newcomer Josh Grundy both he and Beltus Nonleh having been picked for the Lancashire under 18s.
Next week Southport are the visitors to Moorgate Avenue a 2.15pm kick off.
Final word for the 2nd team who came from behind to win 31-29 at Wilmslow never an easy game.