RUSTY Rossendale returned to action after an enforced two week lay-off and it showed.

While Dale were in the same boat as every other team who have been left kicking their heels due to the freezing conditions, the men from Marl Pits were caught cold.

But player/coach James Bramhall put the defeat down to an off day as he saw his side’s three match winning run come to an end.

“We are disappointed with the performance but not overly worried as we know this was just a poor day at the office,” said backs coach Bramhall. “We are a much better team capable of entertaining and skillful rugby.

“We’ll just get back on the training pitch, work through the mistakes and come out fighting against Billingham on Saturday.”

Bramhall gave Dale the lead with an early penalty following some well worked phase ball.

Park levelled with a penalty of their own then took the lead with a push over try, converted to lead 10-3.

But Bramhall kept Dale in touch with another penalty as they trailed just 10-6 at the break.

But what followed was probably there worse 40 minutes of the season as Park ran in two converted tries.

“The second half was probably the worst we have played this season,” added Bramhall.

“But we never threw in the towel and worked hard to get something out of the game but to no avail.”