ROSSENDALE showed just why they are the entertainers of National League Three North after battling out an amazing 42-42 draw at Penrith.

The home side had raced to a commanding 21-0 lead but Dale came roaring back and, incredibly, could have won the match with the last kick of the game.

The 82 point, 12-try thriller comes just a week after Dale ran out 41-35 winners over Kendal.

This season, the club have also lost three high scoring matches to Percy Park (41-39), Billingham (45-31) and Bradford and Bingley (41-30).

While the free flowing rugby is a joy to watch, Dale’s defence has left coaces tearing their hair out.

“At least you can’t accused us of being boring,” said flanker Danny Collins who has scored 10 tries himself this season but missed the Penrith match through injury.

“I’ve been involved in some high scoring draws in my time, back with Coventry and Manchester but I have never known Dale to have played out a 42-42 draw before.

“I know our coach Tim Fourie will be pulling his hair out and he would take a boring 9-0 win every week.”

Penrith took the early 21-0 lead but a penalty try, converted by James Bramhall broke the Rossendale ‘duck’.

Penrith hit back with a try but a late flurry at the end of the first half saw Jamie Albinson go over for two tries.

And with Bramhall kicking a conversion and a penalty, Rossendale were suddenly back in the hunt trailing 28-22 at the interval.

Early in the second period Bramall went in for the bonus score with the conversion from outside half giving the east Lancashire side the lead for the first time.

Mike Bell added the fifth and although Penrith restored their lead with a try from Ian McDowell converted by Wood, a penalty by Bramhall swung the game once more in the visitors favour. Penrith hit back again and went in front with a try from Mike Hawley converted by Wood which looked to have secured the win. But there was to be a dramatic late twist. The industrious Albinson capped a wonderful individual display and was to have the last word with a try wide out to level matters at 42-42.

Incredibly, Dale could have won it but Bramhall’s converstion attempt from the touchline went wide and honours were even.