Following last week's defeat away at Wirral, Rossendale at last got their season underway with a bonus point 33-27 win at home to recently promoted Birkenhead Park.

A break by Paddy Pole from a ruck 25 metres out found James Bramhall up in support for the opening try, Steve Nutt adding the conversion.

Park hit back with a penalty by Dave Hall but with the home side wresting some control, Tom Albinson on the 'crash ball' following good ball at the line out set up the opportunity for Joe McCluskie to go in for the second, Nutt again on hand with the extras.

A penalty try, converted by by Hall brought the visitors back into the game, 14-10 at the interval.

Another break by the irrepressible Pole and good work by Albinson got Chris Frodsham over. Nutt added the the conversion but yet again 'Park came back with a penalty from Hall and a penalty try also converted by the outside half to make it a one point game at 21-20.

However tries from Ryan McKibbin after a break by George Peel who was stopped just short of the line and Albinson, again following good line out ball plus a conversion by Nutt eased fraying nerves despite a late try from Martin O'Keefe, converted by Hall for the visitors.

Geoff Lightfoot