In-form Rossy do double in a week
ROSSENDALE RUFC moved up to fifth place in the North Premier table with a victory over Billingham at Marl Pits.
The home side played well throughout, with good forward power and some useful touches along the back line helping them come out on top.
Reece Stansfield brought up the first from a catch and drive after Lewis Allen had floated a penalty into touch five metres out. Allen was also on hand with the extras.
Jordan Lord claimed the second after the pack had driven over from short range, Allen again successful with the conversion.
Elliott Husband pulled a try back for the visitors but following some powerful phase play, swift hands across the line created the opportunity for Ian Blackman to go over in the closing stages of the half allowing Rossendale to go in at the interval 19-5 ahead.
In the second period Billingham began strongly with a try by Mark Hopley, converted by Dan Finney putting them within a score.
Billingham came again but with Rossendale determined to maintain their lead and the chance of doing the double over Billingham this season, Nick Flynn backed up a quick tap by Lord and went in to take the bonus point, Allen’s conversion sealing the win.
It was Rossendale’s second win over Billingham in a week, having picked up a hard-fought 32-31 win against them away from home on March 24.
Rossendale still have two games in hand and although perhaps a long shot could still finish in the top four, especially as they have to take on fourth place Lymm at Beechwood.
They’ll now try and build on their good form when they return to action on Saturday with a home game against Sandal at Marl Pits.
Sandal are in 11th place, and ended a poor run of form on Saturday when they recorded a narrow 19-17 win against Kirkby Lonsdale.
Rossendale will hope to repeat the performance they put in against Sandal during the reverse fixture, running out 29-21 winners away from home back in December.
Tries from the likes of Curtis Strong, George Peel and James Bramhall helped Rossendale come out on top in that match, while Lewis Allen also chipped in with a number of points.
This weekend’s game begins a busy April for Rossendale, as they also have games against Wirral, Hull and Lymm over the coming weeks.