SANDAL 29 ROSSENDALE 12

Following the win at the then league leaders Billingham the previous Saturday, the Marl Pits side must have travelled with high hopes of a repeat performance. It was not to be as a series of defensive mistakes and unforced handling errors were capitalised on by an all too eager opposition who were 15-0 up before Rossendale added to the score sheet.

It was however a free flowing and entertaining game with the visitors going in at the interval trailing 10-0 through two tries for the home side from Dominic Fawcett.

Fawcett crossed for his hat-trick early in the second period but from a neat loop round with Tom Bedlow, Lewis Allen went in for his side's opening try, Allen also adding the conversion.

Unfortunately Sandal hit back with a try from Ryan Gibson converted by Luke Punton to restore the advantage but from a strong forward drive Rossendale got Keiron Allen over for their second.

Rossendale went looking for at least a losing bonus point but an error in the build up to what was a promising attacking move, Tom Baxter went in for Sandal's third Mark Ellar slotting the conversion to seal the win.

Rossendale remain in ninth place in North Premier and with no game this Saturday return to Marl Pits the to take on Lymm on 1st February.

Geoff Lightfoot