After last week's unexpected defeat away to Billingham, Rossendale came back with a 30 -19 win at home to Ilkley on the Yorkshire side's first ever visit to Marl Pits.

Despite the scoreline there were only three tries scored, two to the home side and one for the visitors the rest of the points coming from a total of ten penalties.

Ilkley opened the scoring with a try from Paul Petchy converted by Joe Rowntree but four penalties from Lewis Allen afforded the visitors a 12-10 lead but just before the break, Rowntree restoring his side's advantage from his second shot at goal for 12-13 at the interval.
In the second period it was Rowntree again with his third penalty extending the visitors advantage but two penalties for Allen gave Rossendale the lead once more.

With neither side able to make a break through due to some well drilled defence it took some quick thinking from Jamie Albinson, the scrum half opting to take a tap penalty to create the opportunity for George Peel to cross for a try, Allen slotting the conversion.
Ilkley replied with a fourth penalty from Rowntree but with Rossendale being able to secure the ball from their restart the pack powered up field and from a ruck a few metres out Leyton Taylor was on hand to plough his way over.

Geoff Lightfoot