Scott Jordan was a late replacement for Jamie Connolly who had work commitments. The backs coach stayed at Brinkburn to play for the Stags with the mercurial Jordan making his first team debut. He deserved a better game to allow his undoubted talents to shine.

And yet it all started so well. Dale hadn’t won at home this season and looked nervous and short of confidence as we attacked from the off, eventually getting numbers wide on the left, and Paul Moss overlapping to score in the corner.He stroked over the conversion, even without his tee, and it all looked promising.

Even when prolific home fly half Steve Collins slotted a penaltyon 10 minutes there was no sign that West’s early domination would become an almost complete capitulation.

The rot did set in with a vengeance on the 13th minute when right winger Campbell took a ball on his own touchline 30 metres out. Despite lacking any real pace, he managed to set off on a run which took him passed five defenders who then allowed him to saunter behind the posts for the touchdown.

Suddenly we became a pale shadow of the team which kicked off - missing tackles in midfield and managing to waste possession. So it was no surprise when opposite winger Flitcroft finished off a sweeping move by scoring in his own corner to make it 15-7.

Phil Wallis gave visiting supporters some hope when he finished off some rare West pressure with a 25 metre drop goal.

It wasn’t to last. Former Rochdale Hornet centre Corcoran only switched to rugby union three games ago and, after Saturday’s game, he must think it’s a no-contact sport. He was a constant threat - scoring his first try for the club on 20 minutes after brushing aside tackles in the centre of the field. Another Collins penalty made it 25-10 at the break.


Any hopes of West getting things together after the half time pep talk disappeared when the Rochdale kick off was knocked on in our 22. We did manage to win the ball back, then passed along the try line where the unfortunate Scott Jordan knocked on as he tried to collect a pass which landed at his ankles. Fortunately, Rochdale opted for a drop goal attempt from Collins which uncharacteristically went wide.


Eight minutes later the workmanlike Rochdale did accept another gift. We had won ruck ball, but then somehow managed to lose it again, with the result that flanker Hartley was able to power over.

Fly half Steve Collins suffered a dead leg in the move with kicking duties switching to centre Steve Pitcher who made it 32-10.

We also made some changes with Tom Wilson moving to fly half, replacing Phil Wallis who had taken a knock to the head earlier. Scott Jordan going to full back and Scott Butcher coming onto the wing.

But it was still Rochdale who held all the menace and it was no surprise when they increased their lead on 57 minutes. Full back Blackburn going over after an overlap on the left to make it 37-10.

We suffered a further blow when Jon Boatman limped off with an ankle injury. The flanker had been one of the few visitors to show anything like his normal form together with Peter Hodgson, Tim Sawyer and Adam Howard.

Rochdale rounded off the scoring and complete our misery after 75 minutes with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Finally, we showed some menace with Dave Garside picking up from a scrum and almost forcing his way over the line. This was on 77 minutes and it was the first time in the whole of the second half that we had got within range of the Dale try line.

Rochdale: R Blackburn, S Campbell, W Corcoran, S Pitcher, J Flitcroft, S Collins [J Mair 65], D James, N Sunderland D Greenhalgh A Callaghan L Frechou T Helliwell L Riddle R Hartley M Bradwell Reps: W Birtwell D Healey.

West: Tom Wilson, Andrew Cheslin, Peter Hodgson, Paul Moss, Scott Jordan, Phil Wallis [Scott Butcher 60], Harry Readhead, Anth Carr [capt], Tim Sawyer, Adam Howard, Paul Rudd, Tom Dixon, Henry Tones [Dan Boatman 62], Jon Boatman [Jon Norris 65] , Dave Garside.