Rebels hit form in Rochdale double-header

Rebels A played a trio of matches and seemed to benefit from fielding a consistent line-up as performances steadily improved throughout the morning.

Tries were scored freely but the victories were built on a strong, disciplined defensive line, a point kindly made by the Rochdale coach Scott after the fixture.

Match results were 6-5, 5-3 and 8-6 and the tries were scored by Josh Barnard (2), Ryan Edwards (3), Ben Lomax (7), Sam Roberts (3) and Jacob Lewis-Dalton (4).

Both coaches though were most pleased with the performance of the Development players. The Rebels played a long 10 minutes each way match and a standard 5 + 5 game.

In Game One the boys scored freely with speed being the deciding factor as our two 'flyers', Harry Whittaker and Ben Harrison helped themselves to six and seven tries respectively.

Three tries from rookie Oliver Cooper and one from 'on loan' Sam Hanna saw the Rebels win 17-12.

In Game Two Sam Hanna swapped with Jacob Sollory-Park who opened the scoring against a strengthened Rochdale side.

The Rochdale substitutions meant the Rebels were in a much tougher fixture and Rochdale scored far more freely in Game Two.

However, the Rebels showed great fighting spirit and continued their strong running, with the same trio of Ben, Harry and Oliver again scoring to deliver a very creditable 7-7 draw.

It can only be a matter of time now before Kai Jamson breaks his duck as he was stopped twice today only inches from the line!

Harry Whittaker's return after a few weeks' absence saw him take the top scorer's trophy home with nine tries, though this try count was matched by Ben Harrison who took the coaches' award for his all round effort.