Grand day out at Golborne this afternoon!
Wigan Riversiders Eels 10ish(?) - Bamber Bridge 40+ish (?) - didn't see this one so not sure but was told that was roughly the score.
Rochdale Cobras 38 - 10 Cadishead Rhinos - Only saw 2nd half but from what I saw Rhinos put up a brave fight but Cobras too strong and never really looked in danger - though the score probably doesn't tell the whole story, with both sides consisting of huge lads taking it to each other, and with Cobras running in a couple of quick & easy tries at the end.
Accrington & Leyland Lions 40 - 24 Liverpool Buccaneers
Really enjoyed this game. Buccs were by far the bigger side, but Accy know their stuff and scored 2 quick tries early on and looked like they would run away with it, but Buccs dug deep and used their size and some good hands to get right back into it, 18-18 at half time.
The second half was a comedy. Buccs started strong and carried on their physical approach but got a bit carried away with too many elbows, high shots, etc. Number 15 in particular was a right cheap dirty sod. Another lad came on, gave away 2 penalties and got sin-binned in the space off 5 minutes, and that was his contribution. Then a Buccs lad made a tackle and roughed up the lad on the floor, who reacted a little, but the Buccs lad started throwing a load of punches on the back of the head as he was stuck on the floor. Very brave. Correctly sent off. From then Buccs lost it. They looked for the big shot and to hurt Accy but just ended up missing tackles and giving away penalties. Accy stepped up and despite being the smaller team began to run Buccs ragged, scoring some awesome tries. The Buccs bench was going mad but as a neutral the ref called it well, it was Buccs' own indiscipline that lost them the game.
It all got a bit tasty but Accy held out and their superior hands and running won the day. But - if Buccs had held their discipline and made their tackles instead of looking for the big shot all the time, they could have easily taken it. A big shot is useless unless it sticks. Well done Accy & Leyland, you ran well and showed some great hands - your number 14 was mom by a mile.
