For a top of the table side this was a somewhat below performance from the Marl Pits outfit, the game only coming to life in the closing quarter as the home side went in hunt for the bonus point.

In a close first half Rossendale went in at 17-14 just three points ahead of the visitors due to the tenacity of Kendal outside half Aaron Stephens who guided his side around the field as well as scoring all their points from three penalties and a try.

Rossendale kicked off without captain Tom Bedlow, out injured and Byron McGuigan on duty in South Africa with Sale Sharks.

Following an early penalty for the Cumbrians from Stephens Liam Canning drafted into the back row was driven over for the opening try, Lewis Allen adding the conversion.

Kendal came back with another Stephens penalty cancelled out with a penalty from Allen as the visitors came offside.

From a free kick inside the Kendal ‘22’ the ball was driven on by Canning who found Jonny Leota coming up on the outside, the centre taking the scoring pass to score close to the posts, Allen again successful with the conversion.

With Stephens proving a sizable thorn in the side of the home side the Kendal outside half crossed for a try with a third penalty adding to his tally to close the half with the Cumbrians still in touch at 17-14.

Solid forward pressure created the opportunity for Zac Stephens to enter the line from full back for the third again Allen slotting the extras.
With Rossendale now in the hunt for the bonus score there was a period of some desperate attack and defence from both sides until Adam Howard crashed over for the all important try, Allen once more on target.

With the pressure now off Rossendale really began to take control as the Kendal effort began to fade.

From a penalty lineout it was Canning again this time at the back of the line picking out the throw to score the fifth.

Into the final minute a tap penalty and a drive by the pack opened the way for Matt Lamprey to crash over close to the posts, Allen landing the final two conversions for a 100% success rate on the day.

In other results Macclesfield remain in second after beating local rivals Northwich 13-66. The top two are both on 66 points with the East Lancashire side just ahead on points difference.

Blackburn stay in third spot despite going down away to Wirral 28-22.

This coming Saturday Rossendale are away at bottom of the table Sandbach in a re-arranged fixture postponed from 2nd December.