Despite an early try, for the first time this season, the Rossendale pack were under some pressure from the Northwich ‘eight’ throughout most of the first half. However with control regained after the interval and with tries beginning to flow the Marl Pits side kept their ‘noses’ ahead of immediate contenders Blackburn who were 40- 5 winners at home to Stockport.

From some solid second phase play by the forwards the opportunity came for prop Manny Effiom to crash over for the opening score. Zac Stephens who started the game at outside half landed the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

With defences well on top and a real ‘arm wrestle’ ensuing between both packs the action became marooned in mid field until in time added on coming up to the interval the deadlock was broken following a forward break allowing Ben Stephens to send Joe Burns in for his side’s second try for 12-0 at half time.

With Lewis Allen off the bench and Zac Stephens returning to the full back birth Rossendale took a grip on the second period with Denny Solomona crashing over from quick ruck ball after Rossendale had set up camp on the Northwich five metre line, Allen on target with the conversion.

Northwich got on the scoresheet with a penalty from Boitumelo Tsatsane but with the Rossendale machine beginning to tick over turnover ball a break by Zac Stephens to send Byron Mcguigan away, the winger evading would be tacklers to coast in for the fourth and bonus point.
From a tap penalty Solomona took the crash ball through the centre and from the ruck Rory Clark making his first team debut at hooker went over for the fifth.

Enterprising back play between McGuigan and Tom Bedlow opened up the field for Allen to take the sixth, the outside half also landing the extras.

With the game now moving into its final stages from a scrum on half way interplay between Calum Whelan and Zac Stephens got the full back in to the seventh, Allen again on hand with the conversion.

The leading three Rossendale, Blackburn and Macclesfield all on 46 points, just separated by point difference have now opened up a 16 points gap over the chasing bunch with Manchester in fourth spot on 30 points.

Rossendale have no game this coming weekend but will return to action on 2nd December away to Sandbach.

Geoff Lightfoot