Dale end wait for welcome victory
GEOFF LIGHTFOOT
ILKLEY........................... 21 ROSSENDALE............... 32 AFTER a tough few weeks a much welcome bonus try win for Rossendale beating Ilkley away 21-32 in a re-arranged fixture postponed from 26th October.
The result as moved them out of the immediate relegation zone, above Wirral on games won, and will have done much to restore confidence to the East Lancashire side.
The visitors were on top through their pack right from the kick off and from a driving maul Dominic Moon claimed the first of five tries.
Jason Lord was driven over for the second followed by debut winger Damon Hall who was on the end of a swift move across the line after the pack had set up good position, Lewis Allen on hand with the conversion.
Coming up to half time it was Moon again in for his second and the bonus score on the back of a catch and drive, Allen again on target with the extras.
Unfortunately the domination was not to last after Rossendale had gone down to 14 following a red card for hooker Jack Wilkinson for a no arms tackle but with Ilkley unable to capitalise Rossendale still went in at the break 0-24 ahead.
Early in the second half Hall crossed for his second, in at the corner after a catch and drive had sucked in some would be defenders.
However, with both Harrison Moulding and Curtis Strong shown yellow and Rossendale now down to 12, Ilkley came into the game with a try by Joe Johnson converted by Chuckie Ramsey.
Although Moulding and Strong re-joined the action, Rossendale, who when down to 12 had given everything in defence, conceded two further tries, with a
●● Rossendale’s Curtis Strong second for Johnson and then Ed King both converted by Ramsey.
This coming Saturday
Rossendale entertain third place Macclesfield in another crucial game at Marl Pits.