PENRITH 35 ROSSENDALE 66

Rossendale opened with a try from Albert Bradshaw on the back of strong forward play and a break by fullback Zac Stephens.

Sam Lowthion added the second off good line out ball with Harrison Deakin making the crucial break, Lewis Allen slotting the conversion.

Playing in the centre Byron McGuigan added the third backing up a break by Charlie Murray, again Allen landing the conversion.

Penrith came into the fray with a try by Rob Coward the outside half also tagging on the extras.

Ryan Carlson brought up the bonus score with McGuigan racking up the fifth after a drive by the pack and some neat handling across the backline, Allen again on hand with the extras.

Penrith came again with two well worked tries for Adam Howe and Jay Russell both converted by Coward before Rossendale closed the half out through tries from Bradshaw in support of another Stephens break and Harrison Deakin, the hooker charging over from a quickly taken tap penalty to keep the visitors 21-45 ahead at the interval.

The Cumbrians were certainly making a game of it and were first to score at the beginning of the second period, Ben Higgins claiming the honours with Coward once again on song with the conversion.

Unfortunately for the home side a drop ball on the restart was snaffled up by Rossendale and from the kick through Bradshaw raced in for his hattrick.

And it was Bradshaw again who set up the nineth for Liam Canning up in support of the winger.

Allen who converted both tries crossed for the tenth supporting a break from McGuigan, the outside half also kicking the conversion.
In the closing minutes Penrith got the bonus point they deserved Andy Rogers crossing the line with Coward on a hundred percent for the day hitting the conversion.

Macclesfield remain in second spot beating Sandbach 66-24 at Priory Park, but third place Blackburn slip back a touch after being held to a 29-29 draw away to Anselmians.

With both Rossendale and Macclesfield on 71 points this coming Saturday will be massive as the top two face each other at Marl Pits, the result possibly determining the outcome of the season.

Geoff Lightfoot