Youngsters shine in Yorkshire clash
ROCHDALE RUFC under 11s took 24 youngsters to Huddersfield on a slightly murky, but drier than expected day under the Yorkshire club’s imposing railway arches.
The sides were evenly matched and spectators witnessed play move around the field with good hits and tackles going in from both sides.
Huddersfield were the first to score, with a jaunty run around the side as Rochdale failed to hold the line.
Undeterred, the visitors came back and the probing charges through the middle started to pay dividends.
They held the line well and eventually were rewarded with a lovely link up play between Noah Wilde and Brown.
The next few minutes were a delight, we ran in three tries in quick succession, punching holes through the middle, turning the ball over in the ruck and excellent tackling/holding the line in defence.
Harry Nolan, Isaac Corns and Tim Moore put on a glorious show of determined running, and Will with the ever constant threat of the speed and dexterity of Wilde and Brown on the wings, Rochdale were in the ascendancy.
Moore was unlucky not to score a great try having run half the pitch through half a dozen players and almost crossed the line but was held back by a superb Huddersfield last gasp resistance.
Drew Dowd ran in a typically determined effort right through the middle, scoring with great strength as four Huddersfield players tried to hold him up.
Adam Sanderson was superb throughout the day with his pressure telling time after time as he chased down the ball and caused them to spill it, resulting in Rochdale turnover and possession.
Alex Ogilvie found his feet with a memorable charge from within his own 22 to take on most of the Huddersfield team and score a fine try
A worthy 12-5 scoreline underpinned with excellent refereeing, and again played in a great spirit between the two sides. Harry Nolan was man of the match in what had been a a great team performance.