Keeping up the pressure

THE festive period is upon us and ‘Dale 1st XV have three games in December with the last on the 15th a tough fixture away at Bolton. Before that Dale play Fleetwood away today and must keep up the pressure on the league leaders.

Tarleton at home next week looks a banker but there will be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season.

Some unavailability forces changes by Coach Collins and Josh Grundy misses todays outing, so veteran Tom Callaghan comes back into the front row, with Jonny Bradley and the improving Ben Coulter.

Andy Foster partners Tom Helliwell and a new look back row has Andy Redfern Beltus Nonleh and the experienced Shaun Needham in at number eight.

Rochdale have had plenty of success up front but the backs are now coming into their own.

Dominic Serridge and James Duffy keep their halfback pairing together. Blair Henry and Travis Townsend provide the wing threat and Ollie Coldman together with Jon Mair cover the centre spots.

Jim Flitcroft continues to provide good fullback skills and gives an extra boost when attacking.

Jake Smith, D Jed Woolfenden and a welcome return to Dom Macklin as today’s replacements.