Rochdale 16, Kirkby Lonsdale 8

KIRKBY Lonsdale produced a grittier performance than of late against one of the top teams in the league.

The bigger Rochdale pack used their size advantage to keep play on the Kirkby tryline, but despite good tackling, the inevitable score came when Bentham came off the back of a maul to dive over for a converted try.

Kirkby hit back straight away with R.

Robinson making the initial break and the ball moved out for left wing Paul Ruddenclau to outpace the defence and go over in the corner.

Although the conversion attempt failed, Kirkby were back in the game at 7-5.

Rochdale then looked a little compacent as Kirkby quickly returned to the 22 and Barton dropped a goal to put them ahead.

While Rochdale's forwards were giving the visitors a hard time, their backs did not look as if they would trouble the Kirkby defence unduly.

But just before half time, they made a rare breakthrough but Barton pulled off a last-ditch tackle to snuff out the attack.

Rochdale were soon back on the attack and the Kirkby spectators sighed with relief when they offended only for injudicious comments to cause him to reverse the penalty and Tilley put over the kick to level the scores at half time.

Thunder and rain began as the second half got under way and Rochdale added another penalty and produced almost an indentical repeat of their first-half try, mauling the ball over for Cantlar to get the touch down for a 16-8 lead.

However, Kirkby still felt they could win and surprised Rochdale with several counter-attacks.

After Barton failed with a penalty from medium range, Kirkby brought on fresh legs in S.

Taylor and J.

Wilman as play switched back and forth.

Rochdale varied play with high balls to the Kirkby line but brave catching by Ruddenclau cleared the danger.

Kirkby battled hard and were disappointed when they looked to have worked a clear advantage to be brought back by the referee and awarded a scrum.

With no further scoring it ended 16-8 but on this evidence a win cannot be far away.