Away victory at Dukinfield

Rossendale kicked off and followed up as one, pouncing on the ball as Dukinfield failed to collect and clear. The home side found themselves under immediate pressure with a maul inching closer to their try line. A few yards out Joe Bedlow saw his opportunity and peeling off the maul, ball grasped firmly, he forced his way over the try line in the left corner with barely a minute of time elapsed.

The restart saw Rossendale fighting their way up field with strong running in the centre from captain Reece Howarth, receiving good support from his forwards.

Dukinfield put in some strong tackles to slow down the visitors and were very sharp in loose play frequently turning over the ball. They stole possession and moved up field only to meet up with Nuri Stoner, who tore the ball out of his opponents hands and powered forward, staying on his feet, once tackled he off-loaded to Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones who put on a turn of speed and broke through the last line of defence to score Rossendale's second try.

The home team responded well and within five minutes had scored two try's of their own, both converted which put them 4 points ahead, Rossendale having failed to claim their conversion points.

The game had turned on its head and now Rossendale were under pressure and had to rely on good tackling to avoid conceding more points. On more than one occasion Nathan Waddington's quick thinking and brave defence snuffed out Dukinfield's attempts to build momentum and they finally knocked on conceding possession.

Rossendale won the ball at the scrum and Josh Beeken at scrum half showed quick feet to evade his opposite number and break through and then pass to Joe Bedlow who dummied and then gained another few yards before being brought down with only a few yards to go, the ball was loose and Nuri Stoner did well to pick up and drive over the line to put his side ahead once more.

On the last play before the half way mark Dukinfield were very nearly in the clear on the right wing only for a last ditch tackle from Joe Bedlow, to deprive them of a score and allow Rossendale to maintain a one point lead.

Dukinfield started the second half in determined form and put together some good phases of play, threatening to score down the left, only for Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones to bundle their speedy winger into touch. However, they launched another attack, this time down the right wing and managed to score and took the lead again 21-15.

Rossendale rallied themselves and pinned the home side into their own half gaining a penalty 10 yards out. Ever alert Joe Bedlow took a quick tap and side stepped his way over the line, this time Rossendale converted to gain a one point lead.

The game was finely poised for an exciting final quarter, both sides desperate for the win. After a period of broken play where neither side gained any advantage Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones pounced on a loose ball, broke through a tackle and fed Haig Howarth who beat his man to score Rossendale's fifth try and seal the victory.