Back to back wins for Park sees daylight from bottom side Sheffield, but Horden and Rovers both win making the relegation issue a dog fight which will probably go to the last game of the season.
Brett Sylph couldn't convert but did make amends minutes later with a penalty to give Park an 8 points lead. Despite having wind advantage the visitors couldn't get into the game as Park starved them of possession for the first 15 minute of the game. When Rochdale did get their hands on the ball their backs looked sharp particularly fly half Steven Collins who was the architect of their first try.
After a spell of relentless pressure on the Park line, the home side ran out of defenders as the ball was recycled quickly by Collins to Mark Thomas on the left wing, who went over in the corner on the half hour. Collins was off target with the conversion attempt. Rochdale had upped the tempo of their game and skipper Lee Riddle went over for Rochdale's second try, breaking through the midfield and scoring under the posts. This time Collins made no mistake and Rochdale had taken the lead.
On the stroke of half time Collins kicked a penalty after handling in the ruck by Park and the visitors lead 8 - 15 at the break.
With the elements in their favour in the second half Percy Park had a dream start as centre Liam Blackburn scored in the corner after only a minute. A well executed up and under by fly half David Griffiths was collected by Jon Carlile who made a break for the line but unselfishly gave the pass to Liam to score the first of his 2 tries of the day. Brett Sylph regained the lead for Park soon after with a well taken penalty as the Rochdale pack was punished for handling in the ruck.
Liam Blackburn then scored his second try after Park won good possession from the line out. A miss pass from David Griffiths put the young centre in space and Brett Sylph duly converted. Unfortunately for Park this is Liam's last appearance for the season as he jets off to Sydney on Wednesday to play for the Australian side Eastern Suburbs for the next 6 months.
Rochdale cut the deficit when Collins kicked an easy penalty after Park were penalised for deliberately wheeling the scrum in front of their own posts. With the home support praying for the final whistle to signal back to back wins in the league, Percy Park made the result certain with a try by Brett Sylph. The forwards had secured the ball in a line out and drove the ball to the visitors line, and referee Craig Wrightson was well placed to see the Park number eight get the touch down in a mass of players. Brett then kicked the difficult conversion and Park had won 30 - 18.