Rossy felled by rivals’ kicking prowess
ROSSENDALE ................. 22 DRIFFIELD ..................... 37
NOT the best of days for Rossendale who went down 22-37 to Regional 1 North East side Driffield in the Papa John’s Cup.
However, as this is not a strictly knock out competition the Marl Pits side are still in the mix and although their away fixture with Dudley Kingswinford this coming Saturday has been cancelled due to the withdrawl of the Midlands side from the competion, they are due to host Alnwick the week after.
Although both sides crossed for four tries apiece it was the boot of
Driffield’s Ben Dinsdale that made the differenve with a flawless display of goal kicking prowess. he landed four conversions and three penalties to one conversion for the home side from Calum Whelan, the scrum half taking on the kicking duties of Lewis Allen out injured.
And it was Whelan who set the scoreboard rolling with a try, the scrum half collecting a weak clearance from the visitors before scrotching down the to touch line to go over in the corner.
Driffield replied with a try from Ben Johnson, the conversion by Dinsdale affording a 5-7 lead.
From sustained forward pressure Leyton Taylor crashed over to the restore the home side’s advantage.
However, before the break Driffield added two further tries from Adam Blanckley and Dan Ramsden both converted by Dinsdale who also slotted a penalty to close the half with the Yorkshire side 10-24 ahead.
Following a penalty from Dinsdale Harry Grant crossed for his side’s fourth, again Dinsdale on hand with the extas.
In a final rally Rossendale hit back with a try from Matt Lamprey, the No8 standing off a forward drive to cross over wide out.
Tom Bedlow added the
fourth, the centre being driven over again on the back of forceful play by the pack, Whelan landing the conversion.
In the final minutes Dinsdale crowned his perfect day with a third penalty to seal the win for the visitors.