BILLINGHAM 12 ROSSENDALE 27

A solid win the previous week at home to Wirral but to add some 'gloss' a win away over league leaders Billingham with a second half performance of forward domination to which the home side had little answer. The result has pushed Rossendale above Carlisle into nineth place in North Premier and will have surely boosted confidence as the competition moves into the second half of the campaign.

Billingham took the early lead with a try from Luke Wilson converted by Jobe Roxbey but from some slick handling across the line Jake Foster shot through for his side's opening try, the conversion for Lewis Allen levelling matters at 7-7.

Just before the break Billingham restored their lead with a try from Michael Wynn.

For the home side that was the last of their scoring and although they did create a number of chances the Rossendale defence proved up to the task.

In the second period a penalty from Allen narrowed the Billingham advantage before a drive by the pack with a rolling maul setting up prop Nick Flynn who was driven over for the second , Allen on hand with the extras to give his side a 12-17 lead.

With the east Lancashire side now with the 'lions' share of possession, a second penalty from Allen opened up an eight point gap with another rolling maul getting Drew Frey over for the third and final try, Allen again adding the conversion.

This coming Saturday Rossendale are away to Sandal who went down 25-15 last week away to Harrogate.

Geoff Lightfoot

Match photos available on https://www.chrislishman.com/billinghamvrossendale