Trying time in the wind and rain as Rossendale win through 15-14

Winter duly announced it`s arrival for the first week of December, although the blow was somewhat softened by great hospitality and facilities at Sale Scorpions - the Rossendale contingent certainly were grateful for the shelter of the stands, meanwhile the team braved the fiercest conditions of the season so far. The conditions certainly played their part in a fast moving game where rapid attacking play dominated and there was precious little evidence of tagging by either side. The Rossendale team was eager to get back to winning ways following the outing at Clitheroe and the intent was asserted from the start as Dan Stevens ran in the first try - the teams then traded scores fairly evenly, with Rossendale scoring a couple of pleasing team efforts, where the supporting runs from first Ieuan Bissell, and then Freya Rawcliffe resulted in tries for both , the latter a debut competitive score and the icing on an excellent performance, building on her improved efforts at Clitheroe the other week. Rossendale were bolstered by some strong powering runs from Rowan Tweedale who continuied to surge forward with growing confidence and effectiveness as the game wore on. Meanwhile,the tags continued to elude both sides as the rain continued to pour down. Rossendale`s running with the ball was very strong,and the usual contributors made their mark again, with Dan Stevens delivering six tries, Ieuan Bissell 4 and the runaway Tom Leech a nice hat trick, Michael Bailey also ran in a great score. Jason Wilkinson, and Thomas Whittaker contributed surging runs and great support play, and Sam Ludlam, Jack Hayhurst and Tyler all held firm as Sale pushed for the line.
Going forward for next week, we really need to improve on the tagging and also look to move the ball across the support players far more than we did this week, as stronger defences would have halted a few of the virtuoso efforts today. All in all though, a good win and great to revert to winning ways after the Clitheroe match.