Altrincham Kersal Junior Colts 3 Rochdale 3 (From Messenger Newspapers)

Altrincham Kersal Junior Colts 3 Rochdale 3

3:41pm Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Trafford Sport

THE AK Junior Colts played Rochdale in the final of the League Plate Competition at Sandbach.

Torrential rain and strong winds made for very difficult conditions and it was a credit to both sides that they still tried to play open constructive rugby.

AK had most of the play in the first half and went close to scoring tries on a few occasions. They choose to run two kickable penalties late in the half, but Rochdale’s defence remained solid and the game ended scoreless at half time.

Both teams were struggling with injuries incurred and AK played most of the second half with only 14 players, reduced to 13 at one stage due to a somewhat dubious sin binning.

However they took the lead through a Calum Robinson penalty early in the half and were then stopped just short of the try line a couple more times.

Late in the game Rochdale were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to level the scores and draw the game. This should have led to a penalty shoot out to decide the winners but in view of the terrible playing conditions the respective coaches agreed to share the trophy.