Rossendale began the new season with an away trip to Hull in their first game after promotion to National League 2 North. Both sides contained a host of new signings and the opening encounters were pretty even as both sides tried to find their rhythm.

Dale were first on the scoreboard with skipper Calum Whelan capitalising on a mistake from a Hull line out kicking the ball over the line and dropping on it to score. Kieran Tyrer added the conversion leaving the score 0-7.

Hull were soon on the scoreboard with a successful penalty following Dale being penalised for not rolling away. 3-7. They then took the lead a short time later going over in the corner following a catch and drive from a line out.

Dale were playing the more adventurous and expansive game with Hull choosing to drive through the middle and were rewarded with a second try just before half time. Winning their own line out on the left and deep in their own half the ball was shipped quickly through the back line and out to winger Roko Davui who sprinted majestically towards the try line before drawing his man and slipping the ball inside to the supporting Tyrer who dived over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide leaving the score 10-12.

The second half started much like the first with both sides testing out each other’s defence. Dale’s remained steadfast and there was no way through for the home side. Dale then extended their lead with another well worked try. Once again, the ball went quickly across the field through the backs eventually finding the overlapping Tyrer who went over in the corner. Again, the conversion drifted wide, but the lead extended to 10-17.

Hull continued to batter away at the Dale defence but were thwarted by discipline, structure and some crunching tackles. However, they did get a second try following another catch and drive from a line out. The conversion was missed leaving the scoreline at 15-17.
This seemed to give Hull hope and they continued to test Dale’s defence. The pressure began to tell and eventually Dale conceded a penalty. Perhaps rather surprisingly Hull chose to kick for goal rather than go for the corner and a line out which had provided their two tries. The kick was drilled into the wind, but went wide. Within minutes Hull were awarded another penalty in a similar position and this time the kick was successful putting them in the lead at 18-17.

It was then Dale’s turn to press the Hull defence in an effort to re-take the lead and they were rewarded with a bonus point try. Following some sustained pressure the ball was quickly shipped out to Johnny Leota who took on the defenders before deftly slipping the ball out to Nick Fontaine who went over in the corner. Another difficult conversion from the touch line drifted wide and with around 5 minutes left on the clock the score was now 18-22 in favour of the visitors.

Hull needed a try to secure a victory, but were held up in their own half for the remainder of the game thanks to Dale’s hardworking defence. The pressure told and the home side were penalised at the breakdown and with the last play of the game, man of the match Callum Whelan took a quick tap before dispatching the ball into the stand to secure a hard fought, but deserved, victory.

Next week, Rossendale host Macclesfield at Marl Pits for the first home game of the new season.

Report by Phil Johnson.