Although they failed for the first time this season to take the four try bonus point they are still four points ahead of second place Huddersfield, the two will meet at Lockwood Park on 26th October.

Rossendale were on top right from the kick off, with strong forward play forcing a penalty from Steve Nutt.

It was pressure by the pack again that brought the opening try for Danny Collins, the No8 coming on the inside to take a reverse pass off Jamie Albinson after the scrum half had created the space moving away from the ruck, Nutt adding the conversion.

Following a penalty for the 'Bees' from Nick Wainwright the Rossendale pack sucked in defenders in the left hand corner and with two audacious passes from Jamie Albinson and a through the legs effort from Nutt, Sam Lothian coasted in on the opposite side, Nutt again on hand with the conversion for 3-17 at the break.

The 'Bees' came back into it from the restart but with two players dispatched to the sin bin Rossendale took advantage and, with a kick to the corner from Nutt charged down staight into the hands of the outside half, Jamie Albinson was on hand to take the scoring pass. Nutt slotted the conversion and although the home side came back with a try from Richard Tafa converted by Wainwright, Nutt sealed the win with a late penalty.

This Saturday Rossendale are at home to Burnage.

Geoff Lightfoot