Rossendale RUFC put on an attacking masterclass at Marl Pits, running in nine tries to claim a dominant 61-20 victory over Newport. A clinical first-half performance set the tone, with the hosts racking up an impressive lead before seeing off a second-half fightback from the visitors.

Newport strike first, but Rossendale respond in style

It was the visitors who got on the board first, slotting a penalty in front of the Rossendale posts to take an early 3-0 lead. But that was as good as it got for Newport in the opening stages, as the hosts quickly found their rhythm.

A couple of powerful scrums under the Newport posts set the platform for Matt Lamprey to crash over, taking two defenders with him. Lewis Allen added the conversion, putting Rossendale 7-3 in front.

The home side doubled their advantage when Jack Wilkinson bulldozed through a couple of tacklers to dot down under the posts. Another simple kick for Allen made it 14-3.

Rossendale run riot with slick attacking play

The third try was a thing of beauty. Alex Ropeti picked off an interception on the halfway line, sprinted towards the posts, and chipped a delicate kick down the wing. Zac Stephens was on hand to gather and finish in the corner. Allen nailed the conversion from the left-hand touchline, curling it beautifully through the posts in the strong wind—21-3 to Rossendale.

The bonus point came soon after. After some immense goal-line defence from the hosts, Allen booted clear to halfway, where Ropeti picked it up and cut through the defence. He offloaded inside to Zac Stephens, who nudged the ball forward for Ben Stephens to gather and dive under the posts. Another Allen conversion, and Rossendale were flying at 28-3.

The fifth try was another slick piece of play. Sam Lowthion carried down the left before being tackled, but Callum Whelan reacted quickly, flinging an audacious behind-the-back pass to Ropeti. The ball zipped through the backline and found Zac Stephens out wide to score again. Allen was unerring with the boot, stretching the lead to 35-3.

Newport hit back before half-time

Despite Rossendale’s dominance, Newport managed to pull one back before the break. A lapse in defensive concentration following a lost scrum saw the visitors take advantage, going over in the corner. The conversion was good, making it 35-13.
There was still time for another Newport score, again capitalising on Rossendale losing their own scrum. A penalty kick to the corner gave them field position, and after several phases, they muscled over again. This time, the conversion was missed, leaving the score at 35-15 at half-time.

Second-half brilliance and late tries

Rossendale started the second half with a moment of magic. Newport’s attempt to kick for touch looked certain to go out, but Byron McGuigan had other ideas. Leaping from outside the pitch, he took the ball mid-air and kept it in play before Rossendale countered with devastating precision. The ball moved swiftly across the field to Lowthion, who burned past his man to finish in the corner. Allen slotted the extras making the score now 42-15.

The next try was just as slick. A quick maul from the halfway line saw Denny Solomona link up with McGuigan, who looped around and sent Lowthion over in the corner.

Newport kept battling and managed another score after Rossendale conceded a penalty for offside. The visitors kicked to the corner and executed a textbook catch-and-drive to make it 47-20.

Rossendale finish with a flourish

McGuigan got himself on the scoresheet next, taking a quick tap from a penalty while Newport’s defence switched off. He powered over despite the attention of two defenders, showing smart thinking. Allen’s conversion clattered in off the far post, making it 54-20.

The final try of the afternoon was another example of Rossendale’s attacking fluency. Newport failed to find touch with a clearance, and the home side pounced. The ball was swept wide to McGuigan on the wing, who drew his man before popping inside to Zane Ainslie, who sprinted in unopposed. Allen’s final conversion took the tally to 61-20 as the referee blew for full-time.

A Statement Performance

Rossendale’s attacking firepower was simply too much for Newport, with sharp handling, slick offloads, and dominant forward play securing a statement win. Despite a couple of soft tries conceded, their ability to strike from anywhere on the field proved decisive, making for an emphatic afternoon at Marl Pits.

Sophie Macintosh