After an even start, quick Harrogate scrum ball put centre Luke Edwards into space to dance through the defence for a try converted by Nathan Wyman. Rossendale counter attacked and, when the home defence went offside, a Lewis Allen penalty opened their account. Minutes later Rossendale went ahead when Lewis Pattison broke tackles to score a converted try. The Rossendale pressure continued but Harrogate broke strongly from defence and Matt Landsall’s pace outstripped the defence to score in the corner.

This made it 10-12 but Rossendale soon extended their lead when Tom Waring scored a converted try. Debutant Harrogate flanker, Hugo Tasker then broke from defence to initiate a backs move which led to Rosillo scoring a converted try to even the scores. On the stroke of half time, Rossendale regained the lead. Full back, Curtis Strong counter attacked from deep and the ball was spread for Jack Ward to score.

The second half also started evenly until sustained Harrogate pressure ended with Edwards’s second converted try. However, Harrogate’s lead was short lived. They went offside in defence and Allen’s penalty goal made it 24-25. This proved to be Rossendale’s final score as Harrogate mounted still more pressure for the rest of the match. However, it wasn’t till the last minute of normal time that Rosillo finished a fine backs move with an excellent converted try. Rossendale’s restart went straight into touch and Harrogate attacked again from the centre spot scrum. Rosillo applied the coup de grace with a deft kick ahead which he gathered at speed to complete his hat trick and make the final score 36-25

Harrogate: Rosillo, Lansdall, Wyman, Edwards, Lawson, Fox, Matthews, Driscoll, Yorke, C Ward, Watts, Millington, Dodds, Tasker, J Coser. Subs:- Edes, G Coser, Riddell

Rossendale: Strong, Peel, Pattison, J Ward, Waring, Allen, Mouldings, Walker, Sutton, Flynn, Tomlinson, Jones, Frey, Mills, Moon. Subs:- Lord, Ringland, Leader

Referee: Dave Charlton (North)

Match report by Bill Barrack