Billingham 28 Rossendale 18 IT was not the best of days for Rossendale losing 28-18 away to Billingham - a result that has pushed the Marl Pits side down to sixth place in National Three North.

This was a fixture against the ninth place side they would have expected to win.

As it was, a slow start allowed the home side to build up a ‘head of steam’ to take a 17-3 lead from which they found it difficult to recover. Rossendale, in fact, were first on the scoreboard with a penalty from Lewis Allen as Billingham strayed off-side.

But tries from Adam Radwan and Matt Kirby - both converted by Peter Evans who also landed a penalty - set up the lead.

However, in the closing minutes of the half Rossendale did manage to offer some hope with a try from Allen through some enterprising back play on the back of a driving maul for 17-8 at the interval.

In the second half, a try by player/coach Danny Collins from a catch and drive converted by Allen brought Rossendale into serious contention at 17-15.

However, a penalty from Evans and try from Luke Wilson put them two scores behind again.

Allen hit a penalty which looked to have secured at the least the losing bonus point but a third penalty from Evans in the closing stages sent the the visitors home with nothing to show for their efforts.