Speed is king in derby triumph
Veterans Masters take centre stage at Mayfield
SATURDAY saw Rochdale men’s 2nd’s looking to build on their previous week’s 3-2 away victory at Bolton. Visitors Bury 2nds would be a similar challenge to Bolton as both sides have played each other many times in both league and pre-season.
Captain Adam Massey had a full strength squad to choose from including Affan Burki, who had flown in from Belgium to make the game. Rochdale started with their usual half court press, allowing Bury the ball in their own half, but putting them under pressure once they moved into Rochdale’s half.
But after a couple of Bury attacks were turned over, it was clear they had no answer for the speed and skill of both Stephen Hirst and Bjorne Brauns.
Time after time Hirst drove from left back all the way to the Bury baseline, skipping around the Bury midfield and defence with ease. It was from one of these attacks that his cut back pass to the top of D and struck on goal, Kane Morgan was perfectly positioned in front of the keeper to deflect it and was unlucky not score, but a great save from the Bury keeper kept it out. Quickest to react was Rochdale captain Massey who tapped in for the opening goal.
Rochdale continued to grow in confidence and dominate the midfield and by half time Morgan had added to the score line with a well deserved goal.
At half time Rochdale knew the 2-0 wasn’t enough and Massey called for concentration and a quick start to the second half to maintain the pressure on Bury. With almost the first attack of the half Brauns picked the ball up in his own half and drove towards the D, cutting through the defence he struck the ball as soon as he entered the D. The keeper stood no chance as the ball smashed in to the backboard to make it 3-0 to Rochdale.
That all but finished the game off as Rochdale continued to dominate, seeing the contest out with some fantastic play including Adam Boodeea showing great maturity up front, in holding the ball up against a much bigger and experienced defence.
Captain Massey said: “Today was one of the best games we have played, in both our overall team play, game management and individual skill. The whole team played fantastically, but Stephen Hirst was outstanding and full deserved the man of the match.”
ROCHDALE Masters played their last games of the season last Saturday and they finished in fine style – on a dreadful day more reminiscent of the old winter Pennine league days that most of these players were brought up in!
Injuries and arthritis decimated Carl Abraham’s squad and Rochdale travelled with a bare thirteen to take on Cadishead Rhinos and Batley Boys.
Included in the thirteen was debutant Andy Reid and Andy certainly made his presence felt as he crashed through the line for two tries against hosts Cadishead.
In horrible conditions there were some great performances from the Rochdale side none more so than Scoffer Schofield and Browny.
Rochdale managed three tries in the first game against Cadishead and were held to a scoreless draw in the second against Batley.
Both games were hotly contested with no shortage of skill from both sets of players.
This Saturday sees the Veterans Masters take centre stage as they take to the field in a match to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
This year sees the match bring played at the Mayfield Sports Centre with Mayfield chairman Neil Ramsden commenting “this was a no brainer, when Carl Abraham asked me if Mayfield would be willing to host the game I said yes immediately.
“We all owe these lads a debt and it is mine and Mayfield’s honour to welcome them here on Saturday.”
Carl himself is proud of the fact that he has managed to accommodate the fixture especially as his Rochdale Masters side has six representatives taking part in the game.
Anyone wishing to come and offer their thanks to the veterans or just come and watch a game of rugby will be given a warm welcome at the Mayfield club.
The game kicks off at 1.00pm with the bar open from 11 for spectators.