MANCHESTER 26 ROSSENDALE 46

Last Saturday’s results leave Rossendale, Blackburn and Macclesfield all on 41 points with nothing but points difference separating the sides.
Despite a slow start Rossendale were in control for most of the game, just a few lapses in concentration allowing the home side to sneak in for a for four soft tries enough to give them a try bonus point

Lewis Allen opened the scoring with a penalty just after three minutes but with the visitors a bit slow to settle Manchester struck back almost immediately through a try from Charlie Green converted by Finn Rogers to give the home side a 7-3 lead.

With Rossendale at last getting into gear from a penalty line out on halfway the ball was spun along the line for blindside John Tuia standing wide to beat a number of defenders to go in under the posts, Allen adding the conversion.

Again, from a penalty line out five metre out Matt Lamprey drove to the line and from quick ball Denny Solomona crashed over close to the posts, Allen on hand with the extras.

A penalty from Allen extended the advantage before an interception by Charlie Murray and a kick ahead by the second row collected by Allen who kicked again picked up a favourable bounce to send Ben Stephens over to close the half with Rossendale 25-7 ahead.

Manchester looked to be coming back into it with a try from Ben Lewis early in the second half but the visitors moving through the gears Zac Stephens brough up the bonus score coming into the line from full back to take the inside pass from Sam Lothian as the winger created space with a strong run down the touchline, Allen again slotting the conversion.

With Rossendale now well in control it was Lothian again scoring from the restart with a scorching unopposed run down the touch line, Allen landing the conversion.

A lapse in concentration allowed Manchester to add a third try through Doug Day but with the Rossendale pack driving the home side off their own scrum it was left to Lamprey to pick up to drive over for his side’s final try converted by Allen.

With the game now sewn up Manchester managed to take a try bonus point as Green crossed for his second Russell landing the conversion.
This coming Saturday Rossendale are at home to Northwich who were 21-5 winners at home to local rivals Sandbach in the all Cheshire derby

Geoff Lightfoot