Blaydon turn lead into a deficit

ROSSENDALE BLAYDON 27 19

BLAYDON’S poor run continued with this third consecutive defeat, due in part to some poor tackling and being caught on the breakaway by the home side.

They scored first and were just five points adrift at the interval and then denied a losing bonus point in the final minute.

Winger Jack Appleton finished off a break by Jack Davidson for his seventh try of the season in the fourth minute but Rossendale were quick to respond, levelling through back-rower Phil Mills.

Constant pressure in the home 22 then brought reward, firstly for No 8 Keith Laughlin and then Liam Wright four minutes later - both from close range.

Jamie Guy put over a couple of conversions to give Blaydon a substantial lead after 20 minutes - but the rest of the half belonged to Rossendale.

Mills again, along with Dominic Moon and Jack Ward, all took advantage of ineffective tackles to race in for tries, two of them converted by Lewis Allen, and turn the score around 24-19 at half-time.

The third quarter was then dominated by the Lancashire side without them being able to add to their lead and Blaydon came back into it, pressing hard to pull back the deficit.

With time running out, Rossendale appeared to collapse a maul on their own line but the expected penalty try was not awarded - and to rub salt into Blaydon’s wounds Allen landed a last-minute penalty to deny them a deserved bonus.

JOHN BRENNAN