BOWDON lost 18-8 at Rochdale in their latest Lancs/Cheshire Division One outing.

Early on, Bowdon pressure was good and the tackles flew in but this did not last long as they began to show a lack of discipline.

With the home back row asking some serious questions, Bowdon found it hard to compete but manfully defended their line. After a series of powerful drives the pressure eventually became too much with Rochdale scoring an unconverted try in Bowdon’s left corner on 24 minutes.

Bowdon’s reply was guided by number 10 Jonathan Edwards as he encouraged his team to carry and move the ball more effectively, moving deeper into the opposition half.

This increased pressure resulted in a converted penalty by Will Batterbury on 34 minutes.

However, another try on 38 minutes from more forward pressure gave Rochdale a 10-3 lead.

Bowdon began the second half with purpose but the game soon fell into the familiar pattern of the first period.

Alex Bowen carried the ball, trying to drag the pack into a more competitive position, but all too often this work came to nothing following unforced errors.

A further penalty then took Rochdale to a 13-3 lead.

The Bowdon back line probed and tested whenever possible, Jamie Anthony causing the opposition some concern, supported well by Eddie Brady.

Full-back Tim Jeffers did some good offensive work and wings Mark Wells and Tom Oban chased and tackled all they could. Then an ambitious long pass in midfield was knocked on by Bowdon leading to a try-scoring chance for Dale and they increased their lead to 18-3.

With Rochdale down to 14 following a yellow card, the ball was moved out through the back line for William Nicholson to receive at pace as he came into the line.

Resisting the temptation to step wide and offload the ball, he straightened his run to touch down in the corner to end the scoring.