CARLISLE 25 ROSSENDALE 15

Definitely not where they want to be in the Premier North table but the effort could not be faulted against a big and powerful Cumbrian pack with which they found it difficult to cope, especially at the set piece. Added to the fact that their opponents were equally robust in the middle of the back line, Rossendale were 'under the cosh' from the outset.

Yet although the crossed for three good tries others certainly went begging with the ball dropped at crucial moments, one over the line when a score deemed the most likely outcome.

Rossendale remain in 13th place in the league and following this defeat are now six points from safety. They still however have a game in hand away at bottom of the table Ilkley, a match that takes on even more significance as Rossendale hope to improve their situation before the Christmas break.

The East Lancashire side were first on the score board through a try from Tom Bedlow on the back of a break by Chris Mayor carried on by Tom Jones who was pulled down short but from the ensuing ruck with the ball was spun wide Bedlow went over wide out.

Carlisle hit back with a try from Matt Shields and as their pack began to take control added two more from Grant Connon and Ed Harper all converted by Jason Israel for 21-5 at the interval.

In the second period Carlisle added two more converted tries before in the closing stages Rossendale came back into it with a try from Mayor from a penalty scrum and good ball along the line and a neat solo effort from former colt Callum Whelan taking a quick tap penalty to nip through from ten metres out.

Geoff Lightfoot