ROSSENDALE RFC 24 v DMPRFC 27

It was never going to be an easy task to come away with a win from Rossendale, but that is exactly what Mowden did in this bruising encounter.

Rossendale RFC are full of big, tough, uncompromising characters, who have been around the block and back again. As a result, it is not difficult to see why so many opponents leave their Marl Pits HQ in defeat, but on this weekend, Mowden decided that this was not to be the case, as they knuckled down to the difficult task.

Granted there was a bit of luck attributed to certain elements of the win. But sometimes you make your own luck and on this occasion, the luck that came the way of Mowden was fully deserved.

Additionally, to say that Rossendale rode their luck with regard to an accumulation of penalties for slowing down the ball at the contact area, the fact that a yellow card was not administered was a distinct advantage.

Mowden started brightly enough, however, a failure to retain the ball at crucial times in the first quarter, after having had so much possession, meant that all there was to show for it was a Gavin PAINTER penalty, sweetly struck in the first few minutes.

With some big forwards, Rossendale obviously tend to rely on the battering away game, with the catch and drive and the rolling maul. This game was no exception and although not a pretty sight for the purist, it is effective and produced two tries from close range, the latter being converted.

With the pronounced slope in their favour and with a wind advantage, Rossendale were banking on adding significantly to that total, but when Will GOUGH chipped ahead and gathered for the score, they visibly choked. Gavin PAINTER added the extras and when oranges did arrive, Rossendale knew that they were in for a game at 12 – 10.

Mowden started the better after the break and when Michael FORDE finished off in the corner after some good ground gained by several of his team mates, Rossendale appeared shell shocked. Granted the final ball was fortuitously allowed, there are times you just have to accept that decent open play occasionally receives it’s just reward. Gavin PAINTER added the extras and it was game on, with Mowden edging ahead at 12 – 17.

Gavin PAINTER extended the lead with a well struck penalty, as Mowden saw the chance of a victory.

Next came the best try of the day - Robin EATOUGH finishing off after multiple phases, converted by Gavin PAINTER.

To their credit, Rossendale’s big forwards rallied and scored two tries, again from close range, the latter being converted, but it was Mowden’s day with a final scoreline of 24 – 27.

All credit to the Mowden team, everyone played their part in the victory, but maybe George STUDD and Michael FORDE (pictured) deserve mention, along with the boot of Gavin PAINTER and with young Liam RILEY making his debut, connections knew he would make the required impact.