Kendal 12-24 Rossendale

Rossendale won the toss and elected to play into the wind. First try came two minutes into the game, knock on by Kendal caught by Rossendale who kicked the ball back missing touch. Kendal attacked and after a loose maul ten metres from the Rossendale line James Gough broke through to score the home side's opening try converted by Chris Park.

Rossendale immediately responded putting pressure on the Kendal scrum and from a kick that missed touch George Peel countered to put Curtis Strong away and, looping with Sam Atiola, the full back stormed down the wing to touch down, Steven Nutt's conversion levelling the scores.

Both teams worked hard in attack and defence but were unable to make any further advance. Half time Kendal 7 Rossendale 7
Rossendale used the wind to their advantage after the break, playing most of the half in Kendal's 22 metre area where through constant pressure from Rossendale, James Bramhall and Jack Ward created the opportunity for Atiola to use his pace for the visitors second.

Strong brought up the third, good work by Bramhall, a break by Duncan Tout and with Ward providing the link the full back went in for the bonus score and his hattrick.

Nutt caught the restart and sent Atiola away although being forced into touch the winger slipped the ball inside to Strong who went over under the posts leaving Nutt with the easy conversion.

Kendal never gave up and were eventually rewarded with a late try in the final minutes by John Dervey.

This was a good win by Rossendale on the road and just shows this year how they have developed into a solid team that can now win away as well as at home. An all round performance special mention going to the work rate of Reece Tomlinson in both the set play and line out.

Looking forward, Rossendale next weekend will go in search of an eighth back-to-back league win when they host fourth-place Billingham at Marl Pits. The visitors come into the clash following a shock home 27-7 defeat to Cleckheaton RUFC.

Steven Smith