FOLLOWING last week’s defeat at Wirral, Rossendale at last got their season up and running with a bonus point 33-27 win at home to recently promoted Birkenhead Park.

A break by Paddy Pole from a ruck 25 metres out found James Bramhall up in support for the opening try, with Steve Nutt adding the conversion.

Park hit back with a penalty by Dave Hall but with the home side wrestling some control, Tom Albinson on the ‘crash ball’ following good ball at the lineout set up the opportunity for Joe McCluskie to go in for the second, Nutt again on hand with the extras.

A penalty try, converted by Hall brought the visitors back into the game, 14-10 at the interval.

Another break by the irrepressible Pole and good work by Albinson got Chris Frodsham over. Nutt added the conversion but yet again Park came back with a penalty from Hall and a penalty try also converted by the outside half to make it a one-point game at 21-20.

However, tries from Ryan McKibbin after a break by George Peel who was stopped just short of the line and Albinson, again following good lineout ball plus a conversion by Nutt eased fraying nerves despite a late try from Martin O’Keefe, converted by Hall for the visitors.

Next weekend sees Rossendale travel to Stockport as they look to make it two wins on the bounce.

Stockport were 17-14 winners at Hull this weekend and will be defending a 100 per cent start to the National League Three North season.

Sheffield Tigers also have a 100 per cent record, after beating Sheffield 19-18 in a thrilling local derby, while Firwood Waterloo also have nine points out of nine after they beat Wirral, conquerors of Rossendale on day one of the season, 21-19.

Huddersfield YMCA beat Cleckheaton 41-17, Billingham were 27-19 winners at Burnage and Ilkley beat Lymm 20-17.

Rossendale’s victory moved them up to eighth .