ROSSENDALE 71 ANSELMIANS 7

The pack were in full control throughout right from the first whistle allowing the backs to run in some scintillating tries.

The opening try however belonged to the pack with prop Matt Probert (or was it Liam Canning?) crashing over from a tap and go close to the Anselmians line, Lewis Allen adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

From a scrum 40 metres out Byron McGuigan made good ground before slipping the ball inside to the supporting Danny Solomona to go in for the second, again Allen on target with the extras.

Neat back play and a delicate grubber from Allen allowed Tom Bedlow to collect for the third, the outside half also adding the conversion.

A break by Ollie Molloy and after the ball had been taken into contact Zac Stephens hitting the line from full back brought up the bonus score with less that a half hour gone.

It was left to the pack again to close the half with a try from second row John Tuia, again Allen slotting the conversion for 33-0 at the interval.
The second period began in similar fashion with a break from Charlie Murray setting up the opportunity for Byron McGuigan to beat several would be defenders to make it six.

A scrum on the Anselmians ‘22’ and a break by Bedlow allowed Solomona to cruise in under the posts and it was the centre again bringing up his hattrick dancing his way through a static defence to take his side passed the fifty.

At last the visitors got a chance and went in for a converted try to make it 52-7.

However the home side still had ‘unfinished business’ as Ryan Carlson broke through mid-field and with a neat pass out of ‘the back door’ got McGuigan over for his second and Rossendale’s nineth.

Probert also made it two on the day, the prop barging his way over from a tap and go close to the visitors line, leaving Liam Canning to close proceedings practically strolling through a weary defence for the eleventh. Lewis landing four more conversions.

This coming Saturday Rossendale are away to Kendal in a third v fourth encounter at Mint Bridge. Like Rossendale the Cumbrians have won three of the four games played so far are just ahead of the East Lancashire side courtesy of an extra bonus point.

Geoff Lightfoot