Rochdale 22 v North Manchester 22

North faced a strong Rochdale side last Saturday and dropped points for only the second time this season. North were missing centre Dave Vickers but otherwise had a full strength squad to choose from and went into the game knowing that two victories from their final six fixtures would secure promotion.

Rochdale are undefeated at home, but North were confident after winning the previous encounter by 68 points to nil and putting in arguably their best performance of the season. Any ideas of another comprehensive victory were quickly stopped after the home side opened the scoring in the opening minutes. Rochdale seized possession from a North scrum and forced their way over the line to lead 5-0. Kicking would be difficult all afternoon and the conversion was missed.

Rochdale increased their lead after 20 minutes when their strong running centres combined to score a try under the posts. Once again the conversion was missed but North were 10-0 down and playing poorly. Rochdale nearly created a formidable lead when their right winger broke through the defensive line and raced towards North’s try-line. The try seemed to be a formality but Aaron Duoba somehow chased down the home player and executed a textbook, try-saving tackle. North managed to scramble the ball clear to leave the score 10-0.

Rochdale had several strong ball carriers, who made good ground when they touched the ball. In particular, the home centres were extremely powerful and were causing North many problems. North’s defence is normally one of the strongest aspects of their game, but some of the tackling was powder-puff stuff and Rochdale players were going through the visiting defence with ease.

The home side were playing well but North scored the next try, largely against the run of play, just before halftime. North’s backline finally clicked into action and winger Aaron Duoba received the ball 40 metres from the home line. The youngster set off on a mazy run which took him round several defenders and allowed him to dive over in the corner for a try. The conversion was missed but North had closed the score to 10-5 at halftime.

Rochdale scored the first try of the second half to lead 15-5, but this seemed to trigger North into life and the league leaders dominated the next 15 minutes. Aaron Duoba was beginning to become a major force in attack and his break set up the next try. Duoba’s 40 metre run was halted on the home side’s 22 but excellent support play by Ian Thompson and Kev Green allowed North to continue the move. Scrum half Matthew Wallace fed No. 8 Chris Taylor 10 metres from the try-line who powered through three tackles to crash over the line for the try. The conversion was missed in the windy conditions but North were back in the game at 15-10.

Try-machine Steve Donoghue scored a super try with a run from inside his own half. The speedster showed his power and barged through several tackles to get past the advancing defence and ran in unopposed from 30 metres. Fly-half John Eady added the conversion and North led for the first time in the game.

With their noses in front at 17-15 North’s fans expected their team to extend the lead but Rochdale hit back to take the lead once again. A good move in the Rochdale backline allowed their excellent inside centre to break through some weak tackles and go in for the try under the posts. The conversion was added and the home side led 22-17 with 10 minutes to go.

North exploded into life in the final 10 minutes and Rochdale struggled to get out of their own 22. North’s scrum was becoming increasingly dominant and hooker Luke Corrigan was winning plenty of ball. North were creating chances and No. 8 Chris Taylor scored his second try of the afternoon after excellent work by Lee Roberts and Captain Gary Pugh. The windy conditions were not suitable for kicking and the conversion was missed, but North were level with only minutes left.

There would be one last chance for North to win the game and it fell to Aaron Duoba who brilliantly side-stepped his marker and raced towards the line. The Rochdale fullback somehow tackled the North winger with the try line beckoning and the home side were able to clear their lines to keep the scores level.

Rochdale should probably have won the game, but North were the stronger side at the end so maybe the draw was a fair result. Aaron Duoba was awarded the Hayneswood Engineering man of the match award for an excellent display from the right wing.