ROCHDALE’S minis and junior teams started their campaign with mixed results.
The younger sides took on visiting teams from Warrington, with the under sevens and under eights both enjoying competitive games against tough opposition.
After starting sluggishly, an inspired attacking performance from Lewis Crossley Cummins helped the under sevens to overcome early defensive errors and achieve a draw.
Great ball movement and possession were the hallmarks of a promising start from the under eights. Will Hanna was named man of the match after demonstrating great pace and putting in some snaking runs.
It was a difficult opening game for the under 10s, who lost three tries to two. Tries from Joe Humphries and Ryan Green-Fielden ensured Rochdale were never out of the game.
The under 11s are still finding their feet and they were beaten by Warrington 6-3. Danny Joesbury scored after the break, having twisted and sprinted his way through a wall of defenders. New signing Ryan O’Connor added to the Rochdale total.
The under 12s travelled to Eccles and won 5-1, thanks to aggressive defence and good passing along the line. The stand-out performer was number eight Adam Derbyshire, who scored twice. Nathan Flaherty added a try from a run that started inside his own half, and the same player later broke through a series of tackles before handing off to Tom Hughes for the score.
A depleted under 13s were away at Bury for a Blacksticks Blue Challenge match. The home team ran up a score of 26-0 that ultimately flattered them. The visitors threatened the Bury line on several occasions, but came across resolute defence each time.
The under 14s put in a strong performance against a large Bolton pack away from home, showing patches of great defence in battling to a 29-29 draw. Dale were heading for the victory late in the match thanks to the strong running of Liam Deasey and William Candlin, who both punched holes in the Bolton back line.
However, a breakaway try from Bolton’s number 10 brought the scores level, while Rochdale failed to capitalise from a penalty in the dying seconds.
The win puts Copperpot level at the top of the table with Littleborough.
Hat-tricks from Davey Luker and Nicky Hand got Copperpot on their way, with Lance Ogunyode (2), Moises Sorres and Anthony O’Neill getting the rest of the goals.
Littleborough sneaked past Midland Phoenix with a 2-1 victory, their goals coming from Joe Shelmerdine and Chris Pearson. Arron Heaney scored Phoenix’s only goal.
Turks Head’s poor start to the season continued as they failed again to pick up any points against Broadway Celtic.
The game was close however with Celtic claiming a 3-2 win. Paul Davies, Michael Smith and and Andrew Oaks scored the winning goals, with Andy Eastwood and Dave Spence netting for Turks.
The points were shared between Highfield and Rochdalians in their 1-1 draw. Andrew Williams netted for Highfield whilst Alex Mycock got one back for Rochdalians.
In the Physio Clinic First Division Middleton Colts picked up their first points of the season beating Red Lion
4-2. The team had previously gone four games without a win.
FC Dale knocked seven past Duke of Wellington, who only managed two in reply, to stay joint top of the division with Dog & Partridge. Danny Armstrong’s four goals were the highlight of the game. Byron Milne (2), Wayne Traynor and Mark Davies getting the rest for FC Dale.
Goals were plentiful in the match between Royal Exchange and FC Bernard, in which the latter won 9-2. Pete Bradley (4), Ben Turner (2), Scott Greenwood, Adam Gill and Danny Parker scored for the winners, Michael Fielding and I Douglas scoring for Exchange.
Boundary Park beat Wardleworth 2-0 leaving the teams level on points but with Park having a game in hand. Serhij Janclecis and Stuart Campbell bagging the points for their first win of the season.
Nothing much changed at the top end of the www.poorlypuppy.com Second Division with DC United, Italia, Asia and Crown & Shuttle all picking up maximum points.
DC United scraped a 4-3 win over Rochdale Nomads to remain at the head of the table. Mark Longshaw and John McHale both scored two for United. Chris Rowley (2) and Matt Rowley replied for Nomads.
Italia recorded the biggest score of the day beating Newtown 6-2. The winning goals came from Paul Nelson (3), Jordan Scholes, Dave Liddle and Dean Ashton. Newtown’s Paul Fransic and Matthew Hennesey replying for Newtown.
Asad Mahmood and Kamran Younis got two each as Asia recorded a 2-0 victory over Old Bricklayers.
Crown & Shuttle’s 3-2 win against Gardeners Arms meant that they now sit in second place but level on points with both Asia and Italia. Nick Preston, David Jenkins and Jake Gerrard scored for Crown, whilst Evans and Johnson got the goals for Gardeners Arms.
It was mixed fortunes in the tie between Bridge Inn and Falconers.
Both teams went into the fixture having lost all their games, but Falconers left with their first win. James Vennard got Bridge Inn’s goals, with Andy Butler and Andy Schofield netting for maximum points.
In the Cowell & Norford Third Division Wellington remained on minus one points after losing 1-13 to The Star who recorded their first league win.
Dave Ransted knocked five past Wellington, Rick Doherty scored a hat-trick, whilst the rest of Star’s goals came from Arron McWilliam, Eddie Wrigley, Jhan Warren, Steven Humphreys and an own goal. Niall Worthington got Wellington’s only goal.
It was an even contest between Highfield Reserves and Woodhouse United who, after drawing 3-3, remain in joint second position. Reece Holt, Karim Helliwell and Nathan Mills got on the board for Highfield, with Ashley Hignot (2) and Daniel Birch levelling matters for Woodhouse.
The upset of the day came from Red Lion Reserves who drew 1-1 with top of the table Woolworths.
Before the match Red Lion Reserves had only picked up one win in five, but managed to hold Woolworths who dropped their first points of the season.
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