Rossendale 15

Lymm 15

EVEN by Marl Pit’s standard the weather last Saturday was foul and with little chance of open flowing rugby both sides’ fought out a desultory 15-15 draw with thoughts turning to the warmth of the clubhouse well before the final whistle.

Rossendale had much the better of the opening half with Lewis Pattinson going over for the first try, chasing a neat grubber from Lewis Allen before running onto the ball.

Allen was also on hand with the conversion.

Lymm hit back with a penalty but following some forceful play by the Rossendale pack in the Lymm 22, Phil Mills picked up at the back of a ruck to crash over for the second.

Rossendale tried to add to their account but, with mistakes proliferating due to the atrocious conditions and some solid defence by the visitors, the home side were unable to turn their possession into points.

With half time approaching it was Lymm who took the initiative and went over for a try out wide for 12-8 at the interval.

In the second half Allen extended his side’s lead with a penalty but with the elements in their favour Lymm began to come strong and went over for a try, the conversion from Cormack Nolan levelling matters at 15-15.

Despite the result, Rossendale remain in fourth place in North Premier and now take a two week break before returning to action away at fifth-place Harrogate on Saturday, January 5.