Positives to take from seconds’ loss to Macc

EXPECTATIONS and confidence ran high pre game. This was a match that the Rossendale Rugby side had looked forward to for two weeks in anticipation of a kickstart to better themselves in the league standings and gain that sought after win after several weeks of being under the cosh against some very highly skilled teams and having racks of points scored against them.

Whilst Dale still suffered in the build up to the match from valuable players being unavailable the ranks were bolstered by some new squad members and for once in a long while had numbers on the subs bench.

A minute’s silence was held pre-game to respect the recent passing of an old stalwart of the club, Robert Holmes.

From the kick off it took some time before Rossendale got their act together on the field and by the time they had, the quick hands and speed of the visitors backline had registered a big haul of points on the board.

To the credit of the Rossendale lads they started to turn things around and for the last twenty minutes of the first half were very much the better side.

Dale totally dominated the scrums and won numerous ball against the head which led to some good attacking positions.

Whilst mistakes caused Rossendale to throw away a number of these chances they managed to record two well worked forwards tries scored through Scott Marshall and Ayrton Campbell with a goal from AJ Potgieter adding to the score.

With the final play of the half a penalty line out deep inside the visitors 22 offered an opportunity for a further try. However a lost ball and turn over to Macc saw them once again spread the ball out wide and utilise the pace of their backs and end the half with a further try and conversion to make it 12-41 in their favour.

With the infamous Rossendale slope in their favour, Dale started the second half well and put pressure on Macclesfield’s defence. However it was Macclesfield who took the spoils first with another long range try.

The lads knuckled down once more and the forwards continued to air their superiority in the scrummage. The ball was taken back into the Macclesfield half and a well supported move down the nearside saw Nori Stoner finish off a wonderful passage of play with his first try for the senior side.

From the resulting kick off, Rossendale showed their confidence was up and pressed back down into the visitors 22. George Peel made a great drive to get over the line only to be adjudged to have been held up.

Minutes later Peel pressed home his physical advantage again to drive over and ground the ball to the referee’s satisfaction. This marked the end of Rossendale’s scoring on the day.

With a number of tiring players and injuries now starting to bite, Rossendale’s fight back was overcome and with Macclesfield having no intention of waving the white flag they recorded several further tries to take the game 22-67.

The scoreline was very flattering to the visitors and perhaps not a true indication of how much effort and just how evenly matched the sides where for big parts of the game.

However, Rossendale’s defence does need to improve if they are going to give themselves a chance of winning a game.

On a positive note the four tries they scored ensured they also got a bonus point from the match.

In relation to performances, whilst all the pack were outstanding in the scrum Ayrton Cambell put in a big shift in the loose play constantly taking the ball into the visitors being a constant thorn in the their side.

AJ Potgieter and James Willetts are really developing a good relationship in their respective half back roles but Willetts particularly had another fantastic game throughout. A great work ethic both in attack and defence.