Dale run riot at Leigh

Round three of the Blacksticks competition saw Rossendale visiting Leigh, in the first ever encounter between the two sides. Dale took the game to the hosts right from the kick-off, Rhys Tighe receiving the kick-off, and used his pace and strength to run up field into Leigh territory. After a few phases, they got the game’s opening try when Tom Haigh who went over to score. A second try came from a clever kick through and a 50 metre sprint from James Willetts saw him cross the whitewash for his first try. The third try of the half came from a lineout move on the Leigh 10 metre line which saw Tighe surge around the scrambling defence to score. James Willetts added one conversion to make it 17-0 at the break. Dale made changes at the break and they soon added a fourth try when Willetts saw some space behind the backs, and with another kick and chase, went over to score his second try. Leigh hit back with a converted try of their own but Dale reply with a wonderful solo try by Mark Rutherford before Tighe got his second try five minutes from time.