Missing so costly for Rossy

NORTHERN DIVISION NORTHERN PREMIER HULL ........................... 31 ROSSENDALE............ 13 HULL away was always going to be a difficult opening fixture and so it proved as a Rossendale RUFC side weakened through unavailability went down 31-13.

Rossendale finished second last term only to lose in the play-off to Sheffield and have ambitions to go one better this season. Hull, who finished third, demonstrated the stern test ahead.

Rossendale were very slow out of the blocks and were trailing 19-3 at half time as Hull had crossed for three tries from Cameron Curry, Mike Adlard and Stephen King with Stephen Johnston slotting two conversions against a solitary penalty from Lewis Allen.

Rossendale looked in much better shape after the break and, following an early penalty from Allen, managed to get Joel Barker over through a driving maul. Allen added the conversion and Rossendale looked as though they were in ‘with a shout’ at 19-13.

However, two tries from Alex Heap with Johnston slotting another conversion sealed the win in Hull’s favour.

“We had to travel with a number of players unavailable but we had our chances which we should have put away,” said manager Ian Jones. “Hull were a good side last time round, especially on their home ground, and that has not changed but there is still a long way to go and when we can get our best starting line up out on the pitch we will be up for the challenge.”

Rossendale now have three home games in succession starting with newly promoted Birkenhead Park on Saturday.