KIRKBY LONSDALE 19 ROSSENDALE 18

It was heartbreak for Rossendale after having thought they we just a minute away from taking home four points, a try in the final minute by the home side bringing them to within a point with the conversion allowing the Cumbrians to eventually take the honours leaving the visitors with no more than a point to take back to Marl Pits.

It all began so well with a penalty from Lewis Allen opening the scoring and with the pack driving forward sucking in fringe defenders it was Allen again this finding enough of a gap to go in under the posts the conversion affording a 0-10 lead at the interval.

A second penalty from Allen at the beginning of the second half increased the advantage but having lost captain Dominic Moon 20 minutes into the first half and then scrum half Harrison Moulding on the hour, both through injury, Rossendale lost some control allowing the home side to come more into the game.

Tries from Harry Huddlestone and Dan Thompson and a Ryan Terry conversion brought the home side to within a point at 12-13.

However with Kirkby Lonsdale losing the ball in some scrappy play on half way Allen hacked the ball forward and with Curtis Strong winning the foot chase for the try Rossendale took 12-18 lead.

Unfortunately it did not last as a try from Stuart Story converted by Terry sealed the win for the home side.

The result sees Rossendale next to the bottom of North Premier with just two wins from their eight games played. However they do have a game in hand and will take on Ilkley on 30th November. Due to an event at Marl Pits on that day the venue has been switched to Stacks Field with the return fixture at Rossendale now scheduled for 29th February.

This Saturday Rossendale are at home to fourth place Harrogate kick off 2.15pm

Geoff Lightfoot