Rossy’s chance to cement play-off place

BEN HOBSON ROSSENDALE RUFC can all but book their play-off spot this Saturday as they face the only side mathematically capable of catching them.

A win for Rossendale would put them 11 points clear of Hull with just three games remaining.

Rossendale are in fine form having lost just once in 20 games, against leaders Huddersfield, and only three times this season.

Hull travel to Rossendale looking to cause an upset and give the home side an uneasy run-in.

The visitors are also in incredible form as they come into the game having lost just two games since October, against top of the table Huddersfield– and their opponents on Saturday, Rossendale.

Huddersfield are almost out of reach at the top of the National League Three North and a win at Morley on Saturday would all but secure the title and promotion to League Two North.

This means that Rossendale will be aiming to defeat thirdplaced Hull to cement their runner-up spot and a place in the play-offs.

First team manager Ian Jones will need a full-strength squad going into the final four games of the season. He will be hoping that they not only come out of the game with a win, but also with avoiding any injuries that may hamper his team’s chances of maintaining their run of form.

The reverse fixture against Hull in November saw Rossendale come out winners and first team manager Ian Jones will believe they are more than capable of producing a similar result on Saturday.

Tries from Fraser Lindsay, Nick Flynn, two from Steve Nutt and one from Jordan Lord gave Rossendale a 30-21 victory away at Hull. It was a different story last year, as Hull trashed Rossendale 44-19.

Rossendale’s last two fixtures have been extremely tight. They scraped past a midtable Kendal side 31-28 thanks to a last-minute try from Curtis Strong.

A week later an even tighter game at Billingham gave Rossendale a scare but a late penalty from kicker James Bramhall gave them a 13-12 win, keeping them well ahead of the chasing pack in the National League Three North.

Should Rossendale reach the play-offs by finishing second, they will face a promotion tie with the team who finishes second in the Midlands’ league.

Rossendale’s remaining fixtures are home ties against Hull on Saturday and Huddersfield on 8th April.