The game was the last for Dale’s New Zealand contingent of Bryse Healey,Tom Short and Willy Crisp who led the side on to the field which was dry and perfect for running rugby.

This is what both sides produced throughout in a typical end of season affair. Rossendale chose to play up the slope in the first half and took the lead with a try up the narrow side by captain and scrum half James Bramhall. Bramhall converted before Sheffield responded with a try from their ex England Sevens World Cup winner Dave Scully. The diminutive fly half opened up Dales defence which overall was invincible with forwards coach Danny Collins continuing his comeback from injury, occupying an unaccustomed position of inside centre.

The rearranging of personnel followed the loss of player coach Dave Wood to a hamstring pull. Nevertheless Dale increased the tempo and produce some excellent continuity. It brought its rewards in the second half with tries from stand in fly half Jonny Appleton who easily evaded a meagre tackle by Scully,and by Nick Fontaine who crossed in the corner.

Rossendale’s final try was scored by number eight Paddy Pole. Dale’s powerhouse emerged from a ruck close to the visitors line to lunge for the line to loud cheers from the home support. Bramhall converted and along with an earlier penalty completed the scoring.

It brought to an end a thoroughly satisfactory season by Dale in their first season at this level, finishing a creditable mid table. This weekend’s scheduled fixture, a rearranged home match against Birkenhead Park has been cancelled due to both teams players suffering from injury and unavailability.