WIRRAL 26 ROSSENDALE 31

Games between these two sides have in recent seasons tended to be rather physical affairs and this was no exception with the visitors reduced to twelve men in the closing stages due to two yellow cards dished out to Harrison Maulding and Curtis Strong with Dominic Moon shown red for retaliation in a fracas as tempers boiled over.

With no chance of any further progress in the North Premier table Rossendale will have to settle for fifth place despite the late charge towards the end of the campaign.

Rossendale took the lead with a try from Phil Mills, Harrison Maulding picking up in loose play to send Mills in for the first, Lewis Allen on hand with the conversion.

Wirral came into the game with a try before it was Mills again in for the second after the visitors had held onto the ball at a 10 metre line out before Maulding sent Ryan McKibbin away on a searing break to send Mills coming up in support on the inside, Allen again safe with the extras.

Wirral replied with a converted try to close the half with Rossendale 12-14 to the good.

In the second period a break by Leon Simpson carried on by Allen got Jack Wilkisnon over as the pack drove to the line from the break down.
Allen slotted the conversion but again Wirral hit back with a converted try to come within two points but further tries from Wilkinson, off a catch and drive and George Peel, taking advantage of a break by Strong sealed the win despite a late converted try from the home side.

Geoff Lightfoot