The heavy midweek rains proved too much once again for Marl Pits to be playable so this game was switched to Park Lane, Whitefield - home of Sedgeley Park.

The neutrality of the ground seemed to suit Rossendale as they began the game well, denying the league leaders possession for the first 15mins of the match but unable to convert pressure into points again. Indeed it was Morley who opened the scoring with a controversial try on the right wing. He winger, clearly in touch, rounded Dales back 3 and sprinted to the corner to open the visitors account with a converted try somewhat against the run of play. 0 - 7

Rossendale were to draw level 7 minutes later though, intelligent midfield play by both Albinson and Wood opened up the Morley centres for Appleton to scamper through and score under the posts. Bramhall converting to level the scores at 7. 7 – 7

But Dales parity was short lived, as Morleys forwards powered into Dale midfield defence and kept the ball alive, passing out of the tackle for their 8 to score 7 – 14

And more pressure from Morleys mobile pack saw them ‘Blitz’ 2 more tries in in quick succession – one on either side of the pitch before Dale ‘ manned up’ to staunch the flow and prevent a rout. 7 – 26

Dale could not prevent another score before the half time break, Morleys loosehead prop burrowing over from close range. 7 – 33

HT 7 – 33

Half time heard hard words in the Dale camp, and as the game restarted Rossendale finally hit their stride – some smoke and mirrors midfield, again by Wood and Albinson, saw fullback Roger Dennison slice through the visitors to begin Dales fightback. Bramhall converting. 14 – 33

This rattled the visitors somewhat and their attacking play took a backseat to a more pragmatic kicking game. This however did not prevent Dale scoring again soon after. Dennison fielded a clearance on his 10m line and chipped the chasing Morley line, sprinted through and collected nhis own kick as the kindest of bounces gifted Dale another score to close the gap on the league leaders. Again Bramhall goos for the extras. 21 – 33

Their tails now up, Rossendale kept up the pressure and chased another score, to be rewarded following a lineout just inside Morleys 22. Dale threw the ball long, caught and drove for the line, Pole touching down as Morley fell into disarray. Branhall narrowly missing the conversion from the ‘wrong’ side of the pitch. 26 – 33

Dale continued to push forward but as limbs grew heavy Morley sneaked another score to put the game out of dales reach indeed they finished the match with a penalty to give them a somewhat flattering win 26 – 41

MJB” Again we failed to turn our early pressure into the points our efforts deserved, and a brave 2nd half performance showed our attack to be effective but the damage was already done by that point. Morley look good to get promoted this season, and deservedly so on this performance.”