Rossendale 21 Sale FC 26

ROSSENDALE surrendered their 100 per cent start to the season after losing their top of the table clash with Sale FC.

Victory for third placed Sale and a bonus point win for second place Huddersfield saw Dale’s lead at the top of National League Three North cut to three points.

In a game that could have gone either way, the try count was evenly split.

Sale controlled the opening half and led 17-3 at the break thanks to tries from Graham Connolly and Joe Kelly, both converted by Liam McGovern.

Sale also added a penalty and Dale’s only score came from the boot of Steve Nutt.

Rossendale came back strongly in the second half and after the visitors had tested the patience of the referee with three ‘dropped’ scrums, the home side were awarded a penalty try, Nutt adding the extras.

However, ill-discipline was to cost the home side dear as McGovern slotted a penalty for a 10 point gap.

Dale bounced back from the restart, a powerful run by Leyton Taylor hauled down short and quick play involving Tommy Albinson creating an opportunity for Sam Lothian to cross for a second. A penalty from Nutt put his side within two of the visitors.

Rossendale were now edging the exchanges but two further penalties from McGovern left the home side two scores behind with just a final penalty from Nutt needed to salvage a losing bonus point.