The unusual atmospheric conditions drifting by from Iceland, while interesting - and bathing Rawtenstall in a strange pink light, could not detract from the quality of Rossendales attacking play on an afternoon when last seasons league champions were thrashed at Marl Pits.

Rossendale, as always, started brightly and opened the scoring as Rochdales' defence struggled to cope with the direct running of the home backline - Bramhall popping up on the wing to take Poles' pass and score in the corner. 5-0

The conversion missed Rochdale restarted and indeed redressed the deficit soon after. A loose pass in the home midfield was snatched off the floor by Flitcroft to sprint through and score. 5-5

Steven Collins adding the extras to nudge Rochdale ahead 5-7

Rochdale scored next too, a penalty for handling in the ruck also converted by Collins. 5-10

But the home side were not to be denied and Appleton scored before the half following more sustained pressure as Rochdale wilted in the sun. But once again captain Bramhall was wide with the extras and the half finished 10-10.

The scores were tied at the break but there was only one team playing rugby, and one team feeding off their errors - the half time talk was simple. Less errors.

The second half began with Rossendale in sublime form, forwards driving hard and backs exploiting the space created. It took 3mins for Bramhall for to orchestrate a typical Pole try, barreling over from close range through a crowd of defenders. 15-10

But once again Bramhalls' conversion sailed off course. 15-10

And straight from the kick off the home team put Rochdale to the sword, the pack caught and drove - Bramhall fed Albinson on the "front foot" who,in turn, sent Wood into the visiting midfield. The back row pairing of Thompson and MacKenzie cleared the ruck and the backline were off again. Harper sprinting first through then round the defence before feeding inside to Fontaine to complete as good a try as has ever been seen at Marl Pits. 20-10

A change of kicker, Albinson finding the mark - 22-10

10 minutes later another Rossendale attack punctured the defence and in a rare slip Bramhall dropped the ball prior to grounding and handed the visitors a lifeline. But the ebullient Dale pack destroyed the defending scrum and 2 quick phases later Bramhall redressed the error from close range. 27-10

Again Albinson split the uprights for 2 more. 29-10

Another 10 mins saw Rossendale score again. More silky skills and elusive running from the backline found Dennison in full flight, he skipped through Rochdale before feeding Settle to score under the posts. 34-10

Albinson again on target to provide the extra 2. 36-10

Rochdale were a team beaten, but Rossendale were not done yet. Pole broke from a scrummage on the halfway line and smashed through the opposing back row before feeding MacKenzie who showed great pace to win the footrace to the line and score. 41-10

2 more Albinson points saw Dale finish the game victors 43-10

Quote MJB
" We showed in patches, the 1st 20mins of the second half, what we are capable of today - and it was a joy to see. That said we must keep up the pursuit of 'the perfect game' or we will be doing ourself an injustice. Outstanding performances from Matt MacKenzie, Cameron Thompson and Alasdair Harper showed where 'the bar must be raised to' if we are to progress up this league and into next season as contenders."