BILLINGHAM 12 ROSSENDALE 13
A very close hard fought game which needed a late penalty from James Bramhall to keep Rossendale well ahead of the chasing pack in second place in National Three North.
Although the east Lancashire club do look secure for the play-off spot nothing should be taken for granted with tough fixtures at home to third place Hull, who have a game in hand to be played this coming Saturday, league leaders Huddersfield and what is always a tricky fixture away at Wirral.
Rossendale opened up well with a try from Fraser Lindsay taking the scoring pass off Ryan McKibbin who took two men out before off-loading to the the supporting winger.
Billingham hit back with a try from Dan Dixon for 5-5 at half time.
Lindsay went in for his second early in the second period on the back of some slick handling following the turn over of a Billingham scrum.
Billingham replied with a try from Martin Hopley to level the scores with the conversion from Dan Finney edging the home side 12-10 in front.
With both side's out to seal a 'winner' it was still anyone's game until Rossendale pressure created the penalty opportunity from Bramhall to snatch the win.
Geoff Lightfoot
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