There are times when rugby can be a very strange game, not more so than at Marl Pits last Saturday where having lost three of their opening four games, Rossendale bounced back in the best possible way by beating previously unbeaten North Premier leaders Billingham 26-23, a result that has knocked the north east side of top perch and moved Rossendale two places up the table.

Rossendale opened with a try from Matt Blackman flying in at the corner on the back of some good work by the pack. James Bramhall, who orchestrated proceedings throughout added the conversion.

Peter Evans slotted a penalty for the visitors followed two converted tries to Mark Hopley and Evans affording the north east side a 7-15 lead but from a set play Bramhall switched the ball inside to the supporting Phil Mills who went in for his side's second, the outside half landing the conversion for 14-17 at the interval.

A penalty from Evans increase the Billingham advantage but from a drive down the middle by Tom Jones, a neat chip through by Tom Leader was picked up by Blackman who went in for his second to make it a one point game at 19-20.

Yet Evans again edged his side further ahead with a penalty .

Coming into the final ten minutes Rossendale got what their efforts deserved forcing a catch and drive to be taken down by the opposition, leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty try for the bonus point and to seal the win.

Geoff Lightfoot