STOCKPORT 34 ROSSENDALE 33

Yet the Lancastrians have only themselves to blame with three yellow cards in the second half, reducing the Marl Pits outfit to thirteen men for a full twenty minutes with the home side reaping the advantage.

Rossendale started well enough with a a try from Zac Stephens, the full back coming into the line at pace after Lewis Allen had made the initial break, the outside half also adding the conversion.

With pressure from the pack Roland Marki was driven over from a maul close to the line, Allen again tagging on the extras.

Stockport came into the game with a try from Sam Fisher converted by Euan Holt but Rossendale hit back with a try from Ben Stephens, the flanker popping up on the wing to take the scoring pass after slick hands across the line.

The home side added a second try through Luke Simpson before Rossendale wrapped up the half with a try by Liam Canning, the scrum half selling a neat dummy from a scrum close to the opposition line and Sam Lowthion up in support of a break by Allen, both tries again slotted by the outside half to close the half with Rossendale 12-33 ahead.

Despite the comfortable lead the second half proved a disappointing affair for the visitors. Ryan Carlson received a yellow card for a high tackle and soon afterwards Stockport crossed for a try by Rory Atwell, Holt again adding the conversion.

Carlson returned to the fray, then Canning was dispatched to the sin bin following words with the referee.

Stockport looked to have added a fourth steaming into the corner but with John Tuia with an illegal tackle stopping the momentum the referee awarded a penalty try and Tuia a yellow card.

Rossendale were down to thirteen and with the home side taking full advantage Rory Austin crossed for his side’s fifth to put Stockport 2 points behind.

Rossendale however looked to have held on but an infringement in the closing minutes allowed Holt to kick the final penalty to take maximum points for the Cheshire side.

Although Rossendale picked up two bonus points Macclesfield who were victors at home to Leek now take over at the top of the table on eighty-four points with the Lancastrians now in second spot on eighty-one.

There are no matches in Regional One Northwest this coming Saturday but Rossendale return to action the following Saturday 2nd March at home to Manchester kick off will be 3pm.

Geoff Lightfoot