With the temperature in the mid to high twenties mid-half water breaks were essential as the game was played at a relentless tempo, although easing off in the final quarter as tiredness due in large part to the heat began to take its toll.

Rossendale opened with a try from Byron McGuigan after just seven minutes with the ball spun across the line from a scrum penalty allowing the winger to cross out wide.

It was McGuigan again who brought up the second this time from good line out ball giving him the opportunity at the corner.
Curtis Strong added the third from a scrum mid-field, winger benefitting from swift ball along the line.

Following the water break Rossendale flanker Ben Stephens bringing up the bonus score with Strong making it five, the winger finding a gap mid-field again from secure line out ball. All five were converted by Lewis Allen.

The visitors managed to snatch a try just before the interval to close the half with Rossendale 35-7 to the good.

Rossendale began the second period as the first with McGuigan in for his third and his side’s sixth, the winger claiming a hattrick in consecutive weeks!

Good play from Zac Stephens entering the line at pace from full back to create the overlap opened the field for Allen to cross for the seventh.
With tiring bodies Leek nipped in for a second before Ben Stephens rounded off the win, strolling through unopposed from a series of pick and goes from break down play.

This coming Saturday Rossendale will be away to local rivals Blackburn and with the Ramsgreave Road club already the early league leaders and one of the favourites for promotion this will be a real test of the Rossendale metal.

Geoff Lightfoot