ANSELMIANS 25 ROSSENDALE 57

The visitors opened the scoring within five minutes with a try from Byron Mcguigan, the winger fielding a perfectly lofted cross field kick from Lewis Allen to cross with ease.

And it was McGuigan again this time acting as the provider following a powerful stepping run to suck in defenders allowing Calum Whelan to pick up from the break down to add a second.

Anselmians came into the game with a try from Derek Salisbury with a penalty from James Otto narrowing the gap at 8-10 to the East Lancashire side.

That proved as close as the home side were going to get as a superb solo effort from thirty metres out restored the difference, Allen on hand with the conversion.

With Rossendale now on top both in the tight and the loose, a drive from a line out in the Anselmians ‘22’ the visitors crossed for the bonus score Harrison Dakin claiming the honours.

A loose ball in mid-field snaffled up by Harrison went out to Liam Canning who provided the scoring pass for the supporting Ben Stephens to rack up the fifth, both converted by Allen who closed the half with Rossendale 8-31 ahead.

A try from Joe Sanders converted by Dai Morallee for Anselmians narrowed the gap but following a break by Zac Stephens to set up Canning Rossendale claimed their sixth of the afternoon, Allen slotting the extras.

Anselmians refuse to concede and added a third try through Tred Clark to take the score to 20-38.

From a loose ball picked up by Denny Solomona to send Zac Stephens the away the full back found Ben Stephens coming up in support to put the flanker in for the seventh.

A charge down as the home side attempted to clear their lines was the opportunity for the Rossendale pack to drive Manny Effiom over for the eighth .

Anselmian came again with one last flourish getting James Otahau over to take a well deserved try bonus point.

However once again it was dominant play by the pack that brought the final try for Matt Probert, Allen successful with the final two conversions.

Rossendale still head the table with Macclesfield who were 31-21 winners at home to Manchester, in second. Both are on 61 points with the Marls Pits side ahead on points difference. Blackburn who beat Leek 57-0 are in third five points adrift of the top two.

This coming Saturday Rossendale are at home to Kendal who beat Sandbach last Saturday 26-18 at Mint Bridge.

Geoff Lightfoot