Yet at times with ball in hand they looked useful and constructed two good tries but it was their profligacy particularly in the first half which allowed the visitors to create a dominance from which, despite a better second half performance, the east Lancashire side were unable to claw enough back to gain at least a losing bonus point.
Harrogate had control of the game right from the opening whistle and were 3-17 up by the interval through three tries and a conversion to a penalty from Tom Leader for Rossendale.
The second half was more of a contest although it was the visitors who extended their lead and took the bonus point with a converted try early in the half.
Rossendale at last looked much more lively and after Harrogate had lost the ball managed to create space out wide for Phil Mills to cross in the corner.
Unfortunately Harrogate hit back with fifth try, the conversion affording them an unassailable 31-9 lead coming into the final quarter.
Yet Rossendale refused to 'throw in the towel' and from a powerful drive by the pack sucking in would be defenders the ball was spun wide for George Peel to go over in the corner, Lewis Allen adding the conversion.
Geoff Lightfoot