Published at 16:10, Wednesday, 08 August 2012

PIONEERS travelled to Rochdale and came away empty-handed in a game that was really there for the taking.

NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE

Rochdale Cobras

24

Roose Pioneers

16

The home side started strongly and soon had an early score following a defensive mix-up. They soon added a second try out wide to lead 8-0, before Pioneers at last settled and started to play some decent rugby.

After good lead-up work from Neale, White and Finlayson, a nice ball from Jordan Herdman released centre Joel Williams and he made a fine break. He found Ross Walker back on the inside for a great score. Walker converted for 8-6.

Minutes later, with Pioneers playing well, a kick on the last tackle was charged down and re-gathered by Cobras centre West and he broke away. But Batty tracked back well and tapped his heels to prevent the score.

The ball was then shifted quickly wide and a great three-man tackle, involving Johns, White and Herdman, held the Cobras loose forward up over the line.

The Cobras upped their game and went in for another try out wide, to see Roose go into the half-time break six points adrift but still well in the game.

The second half didn’t start well for Pioneers, as some slack defending and poor decision making while in possession cost them dearly and they were soon 24-6 down.

It could have been more, but an excellent Liam Johns cover tackle denied the Cobras what looked like a definite score.

With time running out Pioneers at last started to play some intelligent rugby and really began to move the ball about.

Good work from Kenny and Bower, and then a great jinking run from Batty, put Roose on the front foot. The ball was then quickly shifted wide to the impressive Williams. He broke the Cobras’ line before finding Walker on his shoulder and he crossed out wide for 24-10.

Pioneers now upped a gear. White, Herdman and Neale all led from the front, and the same combination of Batty and Walker linked well to find Williams out wide again. he showed good pace to scorch over and run across the in-goal area to touch down under the posts. Walker converted and, with five minutes left, it was game on at 24-16. Sensing a comeback, the home side then wisely shut up shop and played some steady no-nonsense rugby to wind the clock down.

Best for Pioneers were Joel Williams, who looked really dangerous throughout, Mike Bower, Ross Walker and Liam Johns.

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