The Greater Manchester side opted to make the numbers up in North One East having previously enjoyed their time in the league. As a result we've enjoyed some excellent games against them - most notably when we had the talented Paul Moss at fly half and they had the mercurial Steve Collins opposing him.

Both looked unlikely 10s but were  capable of winning games on their own. Mossy is, of course, working away while Collins was last heard of at Sedgley Park, and was notable in Lancashire's victory over Durham at the Friarage last May.

Rochdale was also the ground where Tim Sawyer suffered a freak injury to his knee requiring lots of surgery. On a happier note the club always hosts the annual league presentation night for promoted clubs and we have been there a couple of times in recent years. Let's hope it's not too long before we are invited again.

The home side have also enjoyed an excellent start to the season winning three and losing one. The loss was at Cleckheaton with home wins against Driffield and Alwnick. However, their best result so far was the 24-14 win at Wheatley Hills last week. Never an easy place to gain a victory.

By rights Rochdale should be in fifth place however they started the season on minus 8 points. There is a salutory lesson here and you cannot help but feel sympathy for the first team coaches and players.

The points deduction came about because the fourth team were short of players for a game last season and, by all accounts, a lad turned up with his boots and told the team captain he was 17. However, he wasn't and when  he told his regular club he'd played senior rugby at Rochdale it led to the points deduction.

Anyone who has been in a busy clubhouse half an hour before kick off knows how easy it is for this to happen - but it's a warning to all of us.

We have to make one enforced change to the side which ran in seven tries against Malton and Norton last week. Scott Butcher is away for a few weeks so Greg Edwards comes in on the wing and Luke Mallinson on the bench.

The coaches will be looking to build on the excellent defence of recent weeks. Only three tries have been conceded with plenty going in at the other end including six from Sam Miller.

West:  Colin Cheslin, Greg Edwards,  Andrew Cheslin, Liam Bailey, Peter Youll,  Stuart Waites, Ryan Painter, Ian Pinchen,  Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates,  Michael Hogan,  Owen Bennett,  Dan Boatman [c],   Jon Boatman, Sam Miller Reps: Andrew Dixon, Chris Atkins, Luke Mallinson.