GOOLE 24 ROCHDALE 50
Rochdale arrived at Westfield Banks home of Goole R.U.F.C. and welcomed back Emerson Lopes with Joe Horne at full back for Captain Josh Schofield all three subs were ex-colts again a salute to the Colts and Junior set up at Rochdale.
A grey and drizzly day on the banks of the Humber with a heavy pitch and Goole even though bottom of the league still capable of upsets on their own ground. Dale got off to their usual fast start with winger Cliff Howard ending in a penalty to Dale for off side into the corner and a good passing move found Joe Horne who powered through for the opening try on 3 minutes converted by Steve Collins 7-0. Another good break this time by Declan Connor featuring a superb hand off took Dale to the Goole 22 but an infringement at the ruck saw a penalty to the home side taking the play to half way. A good take by Chris Hodgkinson at the line out led to Collins feeding the ball wide for the mercurial Tom Hesketh to slice through the Goole defence and out pace the full back and score his 1st try converted by Collins 14-0 with 10 minutes gone. Goole were soon back on the attack and only resolute defending by Lopez, Ross Hartley and Connor kept them at bay until finally a good inside pass let in the centre Smith to score an unconverted try 14-5.
Dale were on the defence again when a pass was intercepted by Joe Donnelly but the referee decided the Goole player had been taken high so play came back for a penalty which the fly half Moore dispatched to the Dale 22. A good passing move saw the winger go in for a try in the corner again the conversion was missed 14-10 and the game was on. Dale needed to resume normal service and scrum half Danny Joesbury was the man to do it as Dale were awarded a penalty by referee Dave Rhodes[yes really] , Collins kicked to touch the line out was taken well the ball came inside to Joesbury who stormed over the line. The try was converted by Collins, 21-10. Goole continued to press but breaks by Ethan Poole and Connor took Dale to their 22 and when the referee gave Dale another penalty in front of the posts Collins made no mistake to make it 24-10 with half time approaching. The home side were not finished yet and a big crossfield kick by Moore found the Goole winger Murray only feet away from the Dale line to go in for a neat try the conversion went over and so the half time score was 24-17.
The 2nd half started with Dougie Poole coming on for Ben Coulter in the pack, Collins having a rest and Joe Kershaw coming on. The next scorer was Harry Hill having his usual solid game in the front row and not often a try scorer he received the ball on the Goole 5 metre line and powered over for a great try the conversion went wide in the swirling wind so 29-17. The next score would see Dale secure the bonus points and it came in style with a nice passing move through the backs to leave Hesketh to power past he full back and score his 2nd try of the day in the corner. The conversion was good and at 36-17 the game looked beyond Goole.
Dale attacks were relentless and after several attacks, James O’Connell broke through, clear to the line. When the cover tackle came in high the referee awarded a penalty try and a yellow card making the score 43-17. Goole continued to come at Dale but good tackling by Lopez and Poole held them and with the return of Collins from the bench the visitors points harvest continued with a breakaway try by Hesketh rounding off his day with a hat trick, converted by Collins to make it 50-17. There was time for Goole to get a conciliation try and a point to make the final score 50-24.
A really good game of rugby played in a good spirit 11 good tries, an expected result but a determined performance by Goole. Dale stay top and the after match hospitality and the England win was enjoyed by all. Next up Wetherby another long distance trip against a strong side coach will leave at 11.15.