Hull 31 Rossendale 13

Rossendale finished second last term only to lose in the play-off to Sheffield but have ambitions to rectify that this season. Unfortunately Hull who finished third demonstrated the stern test ahead.

Rossendale were very slow out of the blocks and were trailing 19-3 at half time as Hull had crossed for three tries from Cameron Curry, Mike Adlard and Stephen King with Stephen Johnston slotting two conversions against a solitary penalty from Lewis Allen.

Rossendale looked in much better shape after the break and, following an early penalty from Allen, managed to get Joel Barker over through a driving maul. Allen added the conversion and Rossendale looked as though they were in 'with a shout' at 19-13.

However Hull came back strongly in the closing stages and two tries from Alex Heap with Johnston slotting another conversion sealed the win in the Yorkshire side's favour.

"We had to travel with a number of players unavailable but we had our chances which we should really have put away," explained manager Ian Jones." Hull were a good side last time round, especially on their home ground, and that has not changed but there is still a long way to go and when we can get our best starting line up out on the pitch we will certainly be up for the challenge."

Rossendale now have three home games in succession starting with newly promoted Birkenhead Park this coming Saturday.

Geoff Lightfoot