MORLEY 27 ROSSENDALE 78

After a sluggish start last term the Marl Pits side has certainly come out with all cylinders firing this time round. There is still a long way to go but an early start goes a long way to defining any season.

Totally dominant from the kick off, Rossendale went in at the interval 6-35 ahead through tries from Jack Ward, a break by Dominic Moon with James Bramhall supplying the vital link getting him over. Rhys Tomlinson, George Peel added one each with Sam Atilola over for two, his first for the bonus score coming off a short line out well controlled by Paddy Pole with Steve Nutt and Rob Foxen in the line to create the space. All five were converted by Nutt, Mark Chesters slotting two penalties for the home side.

With Ryan McKibbin outstanding at No8 and driving the pack forward, the second period followed a similar pattern and although Morley came into it briefly with a try by Richard Knowles converted by Chesters, three more tries for the visitors from Nick Flynn, a third for Atiola and Dominic Moon converted by Nutt really sealed the win.

Morley came again with a try from Tom Clough again converted by Chesters before Jack Wilkinson went in for his side's ninth Nutt tagging on the extras.

However Morley were not finished and got Ollie Flegg over for a third again Chesters on target with the conversion.
Yet the day belong to the Lancashire side as Kane Bevan, Jordan Lord and Flynn, kicking on a loose ball with great foot control winning the chase for his second, piled up the points Nutt slotting two more conversions.

Geoff Lightfoot