AFTER the highs of last week’s superb win against Billingham came the lows of defeat against Burnage.

Dale travelled to Manchester on the back of a 54-8 win over Billingham last week – their biggest victory of the season.

However, Dale slipped to a 10th defeat of the season while Burnage completed the double over their Valley rivals.

The teams exchanged early tries with Sam Lowthian crossing for Dale. Burnage then opened up a 15-5 lead only for Dale to fight back to draw level thanks to a try from Anthony Bingham, converted by Steve Nutt.

A Nutt penalty drew the sides level but three further tries saw Burnage pull away and climb above Dale in the table.