Cup exit marks end of Dale’s fine season
ROCHDALE ..................... 12 WATERLOO .................... 23
THE end of season club cup, sponsored by Pizza company Papa John’s, saw Dale take on old rivals Waterloo who are now in North West 2 and finished second in that league, as Dale did in North East 2 – so a fairly even contest was expected.
The home side were still without talisman fly half Stevie Collins but welcomed back Chris Hodgkinson in the 2nd row and gave a start to Ben Kershaw on the wing.
Once again the pitch was, considering the amount of rain we have had, in great condition and the swirling wind offered no advantage to either side.
Dale started strongly, their young side looking to spread the ball wide and let the flying backs test the big Waterloo defence. Matty Johnston at fly half pumped several high kicks into the Waterloo 22, testing their full back and giving Ollie Coldman and Calum Hill something to chase down.
The unpredictable wind caused several efforts by the Dale No. 10 to go directly into touch and when the line out on half way was won by the visitors they nearly went over but for stout defence by captain Josh Schofield at full back.
Waterloo were going forward again when they were penalised for not releasing in the tackle. Dale won the scrum and a great kick over the visitors’ defence by Johnston saw the ball moved inside by Kershaw and his captain, backing up, sped in for a fine opening try, converted, to make it 7-0 with 15 minutes gone.
Waterloo had a large amount of possession but could not get past the stout defending of Andrew Foster and Harry Hayes. With Jonny Bradley keeping the pack together, Dale kept the visitors at bay until half time.
Waterloo started the second half strongly but were twice held up on the line by determined Dale defending.
Danny Joesbury hoisted a huge box kick to clear the danger but the line out was easily won by the visitors who totally dominated that part of the game all afternoon.
Caretaker manager Dan O’connell now decided on some personnel changes. Off went Chris Hodgkinson and Harry Hayes, who had both done sterling work in defence and on came Declan Connor and Pat O’loughlin.
The game started to turn in Waterloo’s favour as they were awarded a penalty in front of the
Dale posts and rather than run it they decided to kick the safe three points, 7-3.
Despite several heroic tackles in the muddy bottom
corner of the Dale half, Waterloo finally went over for an unconverted try, making it 7-8 to the visitors.
The constant pressure was telling and after a series of penalties in the red zone the referee’s patience ran out and another penalty kick and yellow card saw Dale trailling 7-11 and down to 14 men.
The home side kept pushing for a second try but after winning a penalty they managed to fumble the line out throw. From the resulting break Waterloo were able to get a second try which was converted, 7-18 with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Despite the one-man advantage and having most of the ball, the visitors were held by Dale until the 75th minute when another good passing move saw them outnumbered on the left flank and an unconverted try took the score to 7-23.
Never-say-die Dale bounced back in the final minute when Foster battled through the Waterloo pack to score a consolation try to make the final score 12-23 in favour of the visitors, whose reward is to play neighbours Birkenhead
Park in the second round.
It marked the end of a fine season for this young
Dale side, finishing second in a new league is no mean feat and next season should be even better.