ROSSENDALE came up against a team not only top of the league but also a side playing with bags of confidence.

This was evident as early as the opening 10 minutes when they quickly scored a try with their first attack and their fly half kicked a penalty.

A 10 point deficit in as many minutes was not the ideal start for the visitors. They did respond with a Keith Howie penalty but not before Oldham had increased their advantage with a well-worked score. To add salt to the wounds, Dale's young prop forward Thomas Elmer departed with a twisted knee.

Despite being 17-3 down they claimed a try of their own when Howie converted a Gary Allen try following a steal by second row Lee Preston. It was Oldham however, who had the cutting edge and their excellent number eight made Rossendale pay, whilst down to 14 men with the sin binning of open side wing forward Simon Entwistle, when he galloped clear to set up another try.

Playing rugby against the top of the table with 15 players is hard enough, but with a player down Dale struggled. Nevertheless Entwistle was replaced by Mark Young whose arrival brought Dale's best period.

A series of rucks saw Dale retain possession and culminated in Howie, with an astute pass setting up Allen for his second try. Unbelievably his conversion attempt in front of the posts was charged down.

A penalty for Dale brought them within touching distance of Oldham, but this spurred the home team onto one last onslaught. They proceeded to add a further 21 points thanks to weak Rossendale tackling and some fortuitous run of the ball.

The final score flattered the home side, but nevertheless showed why they are top of the league. For Dale as well as the renowned tenacity of Messrs Cunliffe, Howie and Allen, two relative newcomers to the first team in Young and Preston showed some optimism for the future.

Rossendale first team take a rest this weekend having no game. They are back in league action on March 15 when they entertain Bury at Marl Pits, kick off 3pm.

Dale's second string were also on the receiving end, when they went down 32-0 at home to Oldham 2nd.

OLDHAM 49 ROSSENDALE 15