Still with injury issues needing to be resolved but working hard for each, other save for the final minutes of the opening half, they were never more than a score adrift of the third placed side who have promotion back to National Two North in their sights. At the final whistle still being with in seven of the winners they picked up a well deserved bonus point which has moved them from tenth to eighth in the North Premier table.

Rossendale were first to score with a try from Rob Bramhall taking the scoring pass after Jason Lord had picked up at the back of a scrum, Lewis Allen adding the conversion.

Blaydon came into the game with a try but a penalty from Allen increased the home side's advantage cancelled out with a penalty from the visitors.

Rossendale rallied and came back with a a try from Brad Cave, backing up a break by Chris Mayor, with a neat show and go to glide over for a 15-8 lead.

However as the half moved to its final stages a converted try, a penalty and a third try for the North East side afforded Blaydon a 15-23 lead at the interval.

A penalty from Allen narrowed the deficit before a second try from Bramhall on the back of some good work by the pack and Mayor levelled matters at 23-23.

Unfortunately despite some well orchestrated defence Blaydon came back with a converted try to seal the win for the North East side.

Geoff Lightfoot