ROSSENDALE 8

DE LA SALLE 3

ROSSENDALE moved in to second place in the league after a display of grit and determination earned them victory in a top-of-the-table clash with De la Salle.

Dale went in to the encounter one place behind their rivals but the win now takes them to within two points of leaders Wigton with a game in hand.

In difficult conditions, both sides gave their all in a bruising encounter.

Dale enjoyed the upper hand in the opening exchanges and five minutes into the game the pressure told when the visitors had their prop forward sin binned for foul play.

The resulting penalty proved unsuccessful but moments later Herbst made amends to convert his next effort to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

But the lead was short lived as Dale were caught offside from the re-start and De La Salle drew level.

The match was always going to be a close affair and the crucial score came midway through the half.

Swart picked up at the base of the scrum before looping around for a return pass from his stand off to create the extra man before feeding the back division and young winger Dan Fenn scoring in the corner.

After the break Dale came under heavy pressure but good work in the loose from Mitchell, Goosen and Van der Valt kept De La Salle at bay.

De La Salle kept battling away but Dale stood firm to record a memorable victory.

BLACKBURN, Burnley and Colne and Nelson are all in action this weekend as the Enterprise Finance Europe Junior Rugby Challenge reaches the half way stage.

Lancashire's new ground-breaking Junior rugby competition has brought together teams from across the county in a mini version of the Heineken Cup.

Blackburn are the only side competing in the Under 15s section and play host to West Park on Sunday.

In the Under 16s, all three teams will be looking to bounce back from heavy defeats in the previous round of matches.

Blackburn are at home to Heaton Moor while Burnley travel to Fylde. Colne and Nelson travel to Aldwinians.