Rossendale took an early lead and, approaching the break, the match was tied at 10-10. However, Harrogate then took a crucial lead when Andy Boyde crashed over for a converted try---his first as a father. Rossendale had the considerable slope advantage in the second half which fully tested Harrogate’s defence but Gate scored 2 more tries including an absolute scorcher from Oli Rosillo to secure a bonus point win.

Harrogate conceded an early penalty for crossing and this sparked off a prolonged Rossendale attacking spell. The storm was weathered and a powerful Brandon Hannam break turned defence into attack. However Harrogate’s line-out was dysfunctioning and a Rossendale steal regained them possession. Harrogate then went offside in the loose and a Lewis Allen penalty put Rossendale 3-0 ahead. Teenage Rossendale scrum half, Callum Wheelan then made a searing midfield break which led to more home pressure and Harrogate were further handicapped when Sam Brady had to leave the field with a back injury. He was soon followed by 2nd row partner Tom Harvey whose game was ended by a knee injury.

A Sam Parry beak then started a Harrogate counter attack and Mason Knowles ghosted through the home defence for a finely taken try. Rossendale responded almost immediately and the ball was spun right for full back, Brad Cave to score a converted try in the corner and put them 10-5 ahead. A series of Harrogate driving mauls followed and Tom Driscoll’s try brought the scores level. A strong Merc Mercer midfield run led to further Harrogate attacks and the driving maul which led to Boyde’s try, converted by Sam Fox.

Waves of Rossendale attacks opened the 2nd half and a Boyde high tackle saw him dispatched to the sin bin with Allen’s penalty making it 13-17. Despite the pack being down to 7 men for the next 10 minutes, the Harrogate scrum continued to dominate. Connor Ward’s scrummaging was well supported by Driscoll, Steve Maycock and substitute hooker, Jack Rigby. A challenging Rossendale attacking kick was brilliantly fielded by Danny Matthews inside his half. He quickly slipped the ball to the counter attacking Rosillo whose pace took him clear of despairing attempted touchline tackles and he then cut inside for a scintillating converted try.

A Harrogate breakdown offence led to another Rossendale penalty goal and with 25 minutes remaining, that completed the scoring. However, it still continued to be a highly competitive match with both defences frequently at full stretch. Jonny Coser and Hugo Tasker foraged tirelessly to disrupt Rossendale attacks. In the final move of the match, a powerful Rossendale forward run was ended by a crunching tackle from substitute teenage winger, Harry Yates

Rossendale: Cave, Strong, Mayor, Bedlow, LOwthian, L Allen, Wheelan, Taylor, T Allen, Flynn, Jones, Farnshaw, Lord, Mill, Moon. Subs:- Rylance, Bramham, Hall

Harrogate: Rosillo, Doherty, Knowles, Mercer, Parry, Fox, Matthews, Ward, Driscoll, Maycock, Brady, Harvey, Coser, Tasker, Hannam. Subs:- Boyde, Rigby, Yates.

Referee: Matt Riley (Northern)

Match report by Bill Barrack