HUDDERSFIELD 22 ROSSENDALE 5
Too much power and pace by the home side and a propensity to concede too many penalties proved crucial as Rossendale went down 22-5 to league leaders Huddersfield in the top of the table clash at Lockwood Park.
However limiting the league leaders to just one try should be seen as an achievement by the east Lancashire outfit as the home side had already taken eight try bonus points from games played so far.
However there is one caution. The defeat has closed the gap between the teams below. Wirral in third are now just one point adrift with fourth place Billingham four.
Rossendale competed well throughout the first half and went in 3-5 ahead from a push over try claimed by Dominic Moon.
Unfortunately the second half was a much different affair and as the visitors ran out of steam Huddersfield took full advantage.
Three penalties from Chris Bell to add to an earlier effort in the first half plus a drop goal afforded the home side a 15-5 lead and with Alex Isherwood, Ryan McKibbin and Jordan Lord all shown yellow at some stage throughout the half was far too much of a handicap against a side of Huddersfield's pedigree.
In the end it was a try from Lewis Workman converted by Bell that finally sealed the win.
Geoff Lightfoot
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