If last year’s result was anything to go by Dale would meet their toughest challenge so far in a Bolton side who have made a good start in the Division. With Tom Hindle returning as captain along with Sean Needham and the welcome return of Jonny Bradley, Dale had a near full strength side and it promised to be a great game. In near perfect …
Rochdale Cement First Place
Dale secured all 5 points and first place in the Division with a very professional performance at a windy Aspull ground. Danny Collins was able with the exception of Sean Needham and Tom Hindle to name his strongest side for his tricky away match against a side promoted twice in the last three years who play some nice rugby and …
Townsend Takes On Anselmians
After a very wet week at Moorgate Avenue the referee decided that the first team pitch was unplayable so the game moved to the Hill pitch normally the domain of the 2nd XV. Danny Collins was able to field a largely unchanged team from the one that won last week at Aspatria. Chris Hodgkinson playing at wing forward and Josh …
On course to top table
Coach Danny Collins again rang the changes with Tom Hindle starting as hooker and Harry Hill plus Dale Slamon in the front row and Tom Helliwell and Sean Needham in the 2nd young Andy Donoghue at No.8. Spud Green took over at out half with James Duffy at scrum half, kicking duties went to Nick Ahearn. The pitch at Tarleton …
Solid against Southport
Six minutes into this match and Rochdale scored a forceful pushover try out left of the posts. Engineered from a lineout which functioned on and off throughout the day. Such was the tempo of the effort the ‘Dale supporters started to imagine many more of these attacks to come. Andrew Donoghue crashed over to score and stand in kicker Nick …
Points sealed at Sefton
Both sides toiled in the heat of a late summer day. Rochdale visited Sefton on the back of two good wins and Sefton still to gain their first points. Opening encounters stayed within the 22 metre lines as players tested each others defences, the home side trying to win ground with some early kicking. Shaun Needham produced his trademark surging …
Dale Slog through to second win
A sunny afternoon at Moorgate Avenue saw the welcome return of two sunny characters to the Rochdale first team the ever smiling and powerful second row Sean Needham and the speedy South African Travis Townsend finished with his summer cricket commitments on the wing. A strong bench featured Dale Slamon, Chris Hodgkinson and Ross Hartley. Manchester relegated last season were …
Dale too strong for Leigh
Coach Danny Collins still had 5 or 6 first teamers missing for this first league game of the season , but with new players Lewis Gambles [Hooker] and Nick Ahearn [Full Back] and with Josh Boardman moving up to the first XV. he had plenty of talent to choose from. Leigh brought a big experienced pack and are always a …