Kendal 27 - 34 Rossendale

Rossendale took the journey up the sunny M6 to play against a newly relegated Kendal Team. The sun was shining the grass green and the rolling hills of the National Park in background all set the scene for what was to be the Stags first away win and dare I it say return to the form that saw them finish second last year.

Dale started brightly with some big runs from Dan Collins from the offset, putting the the large Kendal pack on the back foot and resulting in a early penalty that Steve Nutt converted. The next 25 mins was a arm wrestle with both sides showing their strengths and weaknesses. Kendal's strength being the driving maul, putting the Stags on the back foot time and time again, but the home team were beginning to show signs of weakness in the outside backs. This weakness resulted in a converted try for Steve Nutt, shortly followed by Sam Lowthian's first of 4 tries, burning off the home side's outside back with ease. Again, Steve Nutt converted. Dale conceded the only penalty of the half, which the home team duly converted making it 03 - 17 after 40 mins.

Dale started the second half under pressure from the driving maul of the home team and conceded a converted try in the opening minutes. 10-17
Sam Lowthian then scored his second try, again turning on the afterburners to outstrip the frustrated and stuck in the mud Outside backs from Kendal. Sam Lowthian completed his hat-trick 4 mins later going in under the posts making the score 10-27 to Rossendale. Kendal's pack weren't taking it lying down though, and again scored a forward dominated try under posts and converted before the Sam Lowthian finished off with his 4th of the match, leaving Dale to hold on to the win despite a late penalty from Kendal. Final Score: Kendal 27-34 Rossendale.

Next Saturday sees the visit of another of last season's relegated teams, Harrogate (but currently sitting at the top of the table), to Marl Pits. Kick off 3:00PM.

Report by Danny Collins