Rochdale preview

By Dave Picken - October 29 2009
Rochdale preview
Garside
The team which finished so well against Penrith is the one which starts in another big game at Rochdale [kick off 3.00]. It means that Paul Rudd is in the second row, in place of Chocky Davies, with try scoring hero Dave Garside packing down at No 8. The Stags and Ams are at home.

The only other change is on the bench. Dan Boatman is fit to resume after spraining his ankle against Middlesbrough.

Newly promoted Rochdale have suffered similar injury problems this season as they struggle to come to terms with the faster pace of National Three North.

Our last encounter with them was in a warm-up game at the start of last season, when they already looked like promotion contenders from North Two West thanks to some skillful running from all over the pitch.

In fly half Steve Collins they have a potential match winner - both with his trusty boot and from his sharp breaks.

But the West coaches will be more concerned that we continue our form from the last 20 minutes of last week.

The lads failed to give in when Penrith went into a 10 point lead in the second half and eventually got their reward and a bonus try scoring point thanks to a try from Dave Garside.

Despite the clocks going back last weekend this is a 3.00 kick off. If it gets too dark Rochdale have the luxury of some new floodlights which were officially switched on this week in a game against an Army side to raise funds for "Help The Heroes."

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

West: Tom Wilson, Andrew Cheslin, Peter Hodgson, Paul Moss, Colin Cheslin, Phil Wallis, Harry Readhead, Anth Carr [capt], Tim Sawyer, Adam Howard, Paul Rudd, Tom Dixon, Henry Tones, Jon Boatman, Dave Garside. Reps: Jon Norris, Jamie Connolly, Dan Boatman

Stags Squad home to Carlisle Kick off 2.30 meet 1.00: Jordan, Larkin, Southern, Butcher, Miller, Watson, G Robinson, Thomas, Cameron, Bailey, Lloyd, A Dixon, Rafferty, Coates, Hogan, Greenwell, Tunrbull, I Wilson, Robson, Young, Barker.

Bucks. No Game

Ams Squad Home to Seaton: Meet 1.00. Adams, Frankland, Crangle, Considine, Bulmer, Frankland, Quinn, Kemp, Wright, Douglas, Powell, Cass, Claydon, Hamilton, Graham, Wilkinson, Spence, Cass, Shotton, Rayner