Leaders get a run for their money at Dale
AFTER last week’s last-minute win at Altrincham Kersal, Rochdale were in good spirits as they took on the league leaders at Moorgate Avenue.
This would be Aidy Gleeson’s last game before he departs for Australia.
The game started in bright sunshine with good underfoot conditions made for good running rugby.
After two minutes, a penalty to Anselmians led to a line out that quickly found its way to Morley, who scored and converted his own try, 0-7 to Anselmians.
Soon after, a crossfield play by Rochdale saw good passing between Schofield, Gillan and back to Scofield to score a well worked try that was converted by Coldman, 7-7.
The referee adjudged a deliberate knock on by Baker of Rochdale on the 13-minute mark and issued a yellow card to him.
And within a minute a good passing move by Anselmians was stopped by a great try-saving tackle by Schofield.
A penalty to Rochdale near the Anselmians line led to a scrum, from which Joesbury threw a great pass to Gillan for a walk-in try, 12-7 to Rochdale.
Some further pressure by the home side was only relieved when a penalty was awarded to Anselmians for holding on and not releasing the ball by Rochdale.
After 27 minutes, a penalty in midfield was awarded to Anselmians for retaliation when most spectators saw that this was caused by the Anselmians number 3 leading with a forearm to the face of the Rochdale player.
A further penalty ensued and led to Morley scoring and converting his second try, 12-14 to Anselmians.
After 34 minutes, a penalty to Rochdale led to a good break by Gillan that was only stopped when he chipped ahead and was barged off the ball – that was not seen by the referee.
A good break by Schofield from his own 22 went through four pairs of hands to lead to Baker scoring in the corner, giving Rochdale a 17-14 lead at half time.
Two minutes into the restart, a try was scored with the conversion scored by Morley, 17-21 to Anselmians.
After 53 minutes, good defence by Rochdale thwarted Anselmians after they had been awarded a penalty in the Rochdale 22.
Anselmians were awarded a penalty in the Rochdale 22 soon after, followed by a line out and rolling maul that led to an unconverted try, 17-26 to the visitors.
A good charge down of a clearing Anselmians kick by Hodgkinson led to a good driving maul and ball played out – but unfortunately dropped just short of the try line.
After 62 minutes, Rochdale were penalised when putting pressure on the Anselmians scrum in their own 22 and this led to a clearing kick by the visitors.
After 66 minutes, Anselmians were penalised for the first time for a ‘truck and trailer’ drive and later an
Anselmians player was penalised for not releasing the ball. From the resulting line out after the ball had been kicked into touch.
Rochdale advanced forward but the ball was knocked on near the Anselmians try line.
Final score Rochdale 17 Anselmians 26.
A good performance by Rochdale, who remain fifth in the table and one that showed they had a lot to be optimistic about for the remainder of the season.
There is a free weekend today before Rochdale travel to Birkenhead Park on 26th November to play the third-placed team in the league.