Cockermouth picked up their first point in North Two West, although beaten at home by Rochdale in a close contest.
A converted try in the last five minutes gave Rochdale a 19-17 win but there was still much to feel encouraged about, especially Cockermouth’s first-half performance.
It was very similar to their effort in a 16-7 defeat at Keswick on the opening day with most of their best stuff coming in the first-half.
The Wasps led 17-7 at the break following a great mix of exit sets to kick and executed green zone plays, but they couldn’t follow-up. After the turn round they didn’t get the territory and didn’t use the kicks.
They did defend heroically on limited possession but crucially didn’t take the one real chance that came their way when they had a clear three on two advantage.
They had taken the lead with an excellent forwards try after some pick-and-goes led to Ian McDowell crashing over the line. Ed Gate converted and then added a penalty.
The second try came after taking a scrum from a penalty and they executed an excellent first-phase backs move which ended in Shane Cusack scoring and Gate popping over the extras.
Rochdale’s reply in the first half came when a quick tap penalty put the Cockermouth defence under pressure and the visitors scored in the corner, adding a good conversion.
Cockermouth were under siege for the opening 20 minutes of the second-half and after some heroic defence Rochdale scored an unconverted try.
Time was running out when Rochdale scored their third try to draw level after the scrum-half had broken the home defence, and the conversion won the game.
It’s small margins at the moment, but with hard work on the training ground and the ability to take coaching advice on board, the first win shouldn’t be far away.
They face a tough test on Saturday with a trip to Leigh who are the early joint leaders having won both games with an 85-34 points differential.
