Bonus point for great home win
●● Rossendale RUFC’s Nick Flynn tries to break through two tacklers with Tom Jones and Reece Tomlinson in support GEOFF LIGHTFOOT
ROSSENDALE 38 ILKLEY 22 HERE was another bonus point for Rossendale RUFC after they picked up a comfortable win at home to Ilkley.
Although they are still in the wrong half of the table, with performances like this they will almost certainly rise to challenge much higher up as the
Tseason progresses.
Rossendale were using their pack to good effect and took the game to the Yorkshire side right from the first whistle, and with some solid pressure on the Ilkley line they forced Jack Ward over for the opening score. Tom Leader slotted the conversion but Ilkley nipped in with a try to narrow the deficit.
Rossendale came again as Ward benefited from a powerful drive by the pack added the second. The visitors crossed for a second time but electing to scrum a penalty close to their opponents line led to some neat pick and go play creating the opportunity for Rob Bramhall to cross for the third.
Leader added the conversion but with half-time looming Ilkley went over to also get their third, meaning it was now 19-15 at the interval.
Early in the second half Nick Flynn brought up the bonus score, with Leader successful with the conversion before Ward crowned a solid afternoon’s work with his side’s fifth try and his hat-trick, Leader adding the extras. Ilkley were still not done and managed to get over for a bonus try and the conversion.
However it was Rossendale who rounded off proceedings with a try from Donald Nonyane up in support of an initial break by Phil Mills, meaning the final score finished 38-22 to the home side.
The results leaves Rossendale in seventh place in the North Premier table after six games so far this season, and up next for them is a trip to Wirral on Saturday.
IN last week’s Rossendale Free Press we should have reported that it was Amy Barlow who alongside Emily Nuttall, Beth Hartwell and Mia Smith won bronze medals at the English Schools’ Swimming Association North West Championships held in Everton.