BLACKBURN Rugby Club recorded their 13th win of the season in a highly entertaining game with both sides deserve credit for producing running rugby in adverse conditions

The first half was fairly equal with the visitors missing too many first time tackles to allow Rochdale to keep the ball alive.

Blackburn however, drew first blood when a lovely inside ball from winger Martin Donaldson allowed Martin Smith to dive over for his debut try well converted by John Edge with Rochdale replying shortly after with a penalty to make it 7-3.

Despite sporadic Blackburn pressure the only other score of the first half was another Edge penalty to make the score 10-3 at the interval.

The second half though saw an aggressive and authoritative Blackburn display with forwards and backs combing well to run the ball at every opportunity.

With the back row now to the fore, new outside half Pete Aikman sloted in well with captain Nick Westhead to free the dangerous and pacy back division.

This pressure resulted in second half tries for the ever-present and alert prop Andy Ridehalgh with a brace and a well constructed try for open side Stuart Jarrold following excellent work by prop Graham McKendry and flanker Nigel Atherton.

As Rochdale tired, so Blackburn pressed harder which meant more room on the outside which the visitors were quick to exploit with further tries for full back John Edge and the dangerous Alex Antonini on the right wing, with John Edge converting two to make the final score 44-3 to Blackburn.

With players now returning to fitness, competition for places is greatly increased with Blackburn at home this weekend to Old Alwynians (kick off 2.30pm), which should be a good test of the squads strength.

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