ROSSENDALE 27 MORLEY 15

A game played in the most foul of conditions was won by a
Rossendale side showing enough grit and determination to take
the bonus point and maintain their grip as league leaders in
National Three North.

It was not a day for free flowing rugby but the home side were
first on the board with a try from Steve Nutt, the fullback up
in support of some great interplay between backs and forward
which moved almost the length of the field. The full back
slotted the conversion with a later penalty affording a 10-0
lead.

Morley came back towards the end of the half with try for 10-5
at the interval.

Good scrum pressure and forceful driving play by the pack opened
up the opportunity for Tom Bedlow to cross for the third and
although the visitors kept in touch with a second try, from a
scrum 15 metres out Jamie Albinson broke for the line and
although held short the pack was on hand to drive him over,
James Bramhall kicking the conversion.

Morley were making a game of it and hit back with a third try
but with just two minutes remaining after Leyton Taylor had been
held up over the line, from the 5 metre scrum and a series of
phases sucking in defenders Sam Lowthian found enough space to
cross for the bonus score.

This Saturday Rossendale are away to Penrith.

Geoff Lighfoot