By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986) 

 

ROCHDALE, promoted from Division Two, gave Cheadle, the defending Men's North of England League Premier Division champions, a real scare on Saturday.

 

The Lancashire club, buoyed by their first victory of the season last weekend, led for three quarters against last season's double winners.

 

And at 11-8 ahead going into the deciding quarter, Rochdale were well-placed to pull off arguably the 'biggest' shock of the season with an unlikely victory.

 

Cheadle, though, clung on for a precious draw point, although they slipped to third in the table after Heaton Mersey leapfrogged them after their 14-5 home win against basement boys Sheffield Steelers.

 

England attacker Glen Humphries top-scored for Rochdale with four goals, while Nicky Watson, Joe Longley and Neil Marshall all bagged braces in an impressive performance from the home side.

 

Jimmy Ayrton was also on the scoresheet for Rochdale as they led 3-1, 7-6 and then by three goals going into the final quarter.

 

However, a well-deserved point - which could have easily been two - did not move Rochdale any further up the table with Brooklands Hulmeians narrowly ahead in sixth position by hainvg a slightly better goal difference.

 

Stockport, last season's runners-up, continue to be the team to beat in the top flight as they stretched their impressive winning run to five successive matches.

 

The Beech Road boys eased to a 16-3 victory at home to Hulmeians after another solid all-round team display.

 

Attacker Paul Fullerton scored four and provided two assists, with England midfielder Tom Gosnay also impressing with four goals.

 

Chris Bland netted a hat-trick and an assist, having won 11 of the 16 face-offs he contested, while attacker Richard Wilson scored twice.

 

Midfielder Steve Howe scored a goal and weighed in with five assists to complete a good day at the office, with Owen Jones and Simon McGuigan both involved with a goal and an assist each.

 

Ben McAllister made 12 saves for Stockport who are now two points clear at the top with 13 games still remaining this season.

 

Attacker Rob Triplett scored twice for Hulmeians and had an assist, with Mark Warnes scoring the visitors' other goal.

 

Midfielder Rob Dinsmore also had an assist for Hulmeians, but they were outshot 45-25 (27-17 on target) and lost every quarter 3-1, 3-2, 6-0 and 4-0.

 

Mersey kept their title-challenge on track as they proved too strong for Steelers with nine different scorers on target in their 14-5 win.

 

Attacker Chris Battersby led the way with a hat-trick and three assists, while James Gallagher, Matt Beadle and defender Jak Wawrzyniak all on the mark with doubles.

 

There was also a goal each for John Beadle, Andy Ellison (and one assist), Peter Hayes (plus two assists), Dave McCulloch and Dan Heighway.

 

John Beadle won 10 of 20 face-offs for the home team, while Mersey keeper Anthony Hayes made seven saves from 12 shots.

 

For Steelers, who were outshot 41-22 (24-12 on target), midfielder Ben Lyon and attacker Justin Rychlichi scored two goals each and Dave Alcock had a goal.

 

Andy Wilde won 11 of 21 faces for the South Yorkshire club, but they remain bottom without a win in five having trailed throughout 4-1, 6-2 and 10-5, with Mersey winning the final quarter 4-0.

 

Manchester Waconians showed plenty of character as they bravely fought back from 4-1 and 5-3 down to beat Mellor 8-6 away from home.

 

Three goals from attacker Freddie Evans gave Mellor a great start as they led 4-0, but Wacs were not to be beaten as they won the deciding quarter 5-1 to register their third win of the campaign.

 

Midfielder Andy Etherington scored and had an assist for the home team, Tim Roche and Tom Marsh both scored a goal each - and Adam Hall had an assist for a Mellor side without the influential Ollie Hall and Alistair Wallace.

 

But despite having trailed 4-1, 4-2 and 5-3, Wacs raised their game for the final quarter and led by a hat-trick by Chris Stott, fought back to triumph.

 

Attacker Stott also had two assists, with Casey Martin on target with two goals and a goal each for Steve Shanahan, Reece Eagles and Tim Langan.

 

Shanahan also contributed an assist in his team's victory while Eagle won 9 of 16 face-offs.

 

Wacs' England keeper Will Stelfox impressed with 18 saves from 24 shots, while Mellor goalie Ruairi Dolan was equally impressive with 18 saves from 26 shots.

 

Former Premier Division champions Wilmslow were too strong for Timperley as they coasted to a 19-7 win at Stockport Road.

 

The ever-reliable Chris Mountney top-scored with six goals and three assists, while England international Mark Reynolds had a nine-point game with four goals and five assists.

 

Alix Davidson netted a hat-trick, John Mountney and Tommy Foster scored doubles and both Rob Messenger and Tom Brookes were on target.

 

Foster also had two assists as Wilmslow led 3-1, 7-3 and 13-4, before clinching the last quarter 5-3.

 

Saturday 31st October

 

Men's North of England League - Premier Division: Mellor 6 Manchester Waconians 8, Rochdale 12 Cheadle 12, Timperley 7 Wilmslow 19, Heaton Mersey 14 Sheffield Steelers 5, Stockport 16 Brooklands Hulmeians 3.

 

Division 2: Norbury 9 Poynton 8, Boardman and Eccles 4 Heaton Mersey A 3, Sheffield University 7 Stockport A 6, Cheadle A 7 Timperley A 9, Nottingham 18 Ashton-under-Lyne 5.

 

Division 3: Manchester Waconians A 6 Mellor A 6, Sheffield Steelers A 14 Cheadle B 7, Brooklands Hulmeians A 6 Heaton Mersey B 9, Rochdale A 12 Oldham 6, Stockport B 5 Wilmslow A 20.

 

Division 4: Poynton A 4 Norbury A 15, Cheadle Hulme 11 Brooklands Hulmeians Extra A 7, Mellor B 6 Liverpool 10, Leeds 7 Boardman and Eccles A 3, Stopfordians 15 Manchester Waconians B 7.

 

Division 5a: Ashton-under-Lyne A 6 Norbury B 7, Newcastle 1 Hull 0 (conceded), Brooklands Hulmeians B 2 Timperley B 6.

 

Division 5b: Timperley C 1 York University 0, Heaton Mersey C 1 Oldham A 0 (both conceded). Postponed: Birmingham v Heaton Mersey Guild

 

Note to editors - for more information on English Lacrosse visit www.englishlacrosse.co.uk

 

Also why not visit the official Manchester 2010 World Cup site as the excitement builds ahead of next year's tournament www.2010worldlacrosse.com

 

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To contact English Lacrosse - The Belle Vue Centre, Pink Bank Lane, Longsight, Manchester, M12 5GL. Tel: 0161 227 3626 Fax 0161 953 2459 Email: info@englishlacrosse.co.uk