Derby 27 Rochdale 32
20/12/25
3rd bottom Rochdale arrived at Haslams, to play bottom place Derby, in a crucial relegation clash.
Derby were forced into yet more chages as they gave debuts to Danny Thomson and Andrew Charlish from the bench.
Derby kicked off and were in the lead within 7 minutes. Rochdale conceded a series of penalties which allowed Derby to work their way into the Rochdale 22. They were rewarded when the returning Charlie Barker scored from close range. Josh Bingham added the conversion.
Rochdale hit back after 24 minutes with a try of their own.
Rochdale were on the attack again, 9 minutes later when they lost the ball. Lewis Hancock scooped it up and sprinted 60 metres to score.
3 minutes before the break, Jake Roome receiveda yellow card.
Rochdale took advantage of the gap in Derby’s back line to score a converted try with the last play of the half.
The score at the break was 12 – 12 with everything to play for.
Rochdale kicked off the 2nd half and immediatelly regained the ball. This led to a converted try after just 4 minutes.
Derby hit back 7 minutes later, when a spell of pressure led to James Godfrey crossing the try line to narrow the gap.
54 minutes had elapsed when Rochdale scored another converted try to open up a 9 point lead.
2 Rochdale penalties in the next 13 minutes extended that lead to 15 points.
2 minutes remained and Rochdale looked like securing 5 league points and Derby getting none.
Yet again this season, the Derby side refused to give up and pummelled Rochdale for the remainder of the game.
Derby moved the ball across the field and Lewis Hancock darted in at the corner for the 4th try and secured 1 league point.
Rochdale were giving away penalty after penalty and received 2 yellow cards in quick succession.
Derby continued to press and got their reward when Simon Moon touched down with the final play of the game. This gave them a 2nd league point for finishing within 7 points of Rochdale.
Derby head into Christmas still bottom of the table and with a mountain to climb if they are to survive. If team spirit and commitment won games they would be much higher.
Derby make the long trip to Wirral on January 10th.
Come on Derby !
R. Bambra
