VALE OF LUNE 32 ROSSENDALE 54

Yet with the visitors slow out of the blocks the home side had much the better of the opening half taking in a 27-19 lead at the interval but in a second half reversal of fortunes five further tries from the visitors was enough to seal the win.

The home side took the early lead with two tries and a conversion before a break by Tom Leader supported by Jack Ward created the opening try for Phil Mills. Lewis Allen landed the conversion but 'Vale hit back with their third try.

As Rossendale began to show some enterprise, forward pressure taking play into the opposition'22' Leader put Rob Bramhall away for his side's second.

Vale came again with a converted try for a 24-12 lead but from a quick tap penalty Curtis Strong went over to cut the deficit, Allen again adding the conversion before Vale closed the half with a penalty.

The second period proved a totally different affair. A lose kick out of defence was fielded by Allen who fed Strong who followed up his own kick ahead and although pulled down short Nick Flynn was on hand to pick up and go over for the bonus score. Allen slotted the conversion and from some neat interpassing between Allen, Strong and Mills, Sam Greenwood was set free. The youngster was tackled five metres from the line but with Tom Jones up in support Rossendale made it five, Allen tagging on the extras to give his side the lead for the first time.

As Rossendale began to give the ball 'some air' a break by Ward carried on by Greenwood set up a try for Harry Moulding, the scrum half nipping over from quick ruck ball.

Vale made one last effort and crossed for a well deserved bonus try but tries from Tom Waring, off a slick back move, and Jacob Sutton, benefiting from a forward drive and again good handling across the backline, all three converted by Allen sealed the win for the East Lancashire side.

Geoff Lightfoot