Rochdale 5 Northwich 3

8:30am Thursday 29th November 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

RAIN ruled in Rochdale as Northwich lost this damp squib.

The score line reflects the dour playing conditions as both teams were continually lashed by the driving rain which forced the hosts to switch on their training lights.

Blacks only bright spot was the return of Gary Bell.

He came through unscathed on the glue-like surface although he did not resume kicking duties for fear of aggravating his fragile right thigh.

Richard Dale's 35-yard penalty was the visitors' only score.

It was their response to Greg Welling's try which came just after play had resumed following a 20-minute delay brought about by the collapse of Rochdale centre Andy Rawlinson.

At 5-3 down going into the final quarter head coach Paul Reid brought Rick Smith off the bench.

His presence had a positive effect and on three occasions the visitors came close to scoring but it was not to be, as Northwich reached the final whistle tryless for the second successive week.

"This was a game we could have won," said Reid afterwards.

"If we were at full strength we would have comfortably."

He hopes to call on Chris James and Stacy Hosking for the visit of mid-table Leigh to Moss Farm this weekend, but long term absentees Graham Robinson (leg) and Jamie Miratana (elbow) have been ruled out until next year.

---

Northwich: Cartman, Taylor, Gough, Farley, Phillips (Smith 65), Heywood, Simpson, Heath, Naylor, Bell, Campbell, Gwynne, Hayes (Keegan 65), Bown, Dale