Rossendale travelled to West Hartlepool in high spirits after an impressive home win against Waterloo in the opening league game last week but ended up losing by a single point.

Dale took the lead through a well taken penalty from young fly half Will Sharratt.

However, it wasn’t long before West struck back from a fine individual try from their lively scrum half then added a second try to lead 10-3 at the break.

Dale flew into life in the second half and looked the better team with Tom Albinson and Wynand Van Zyl outstanding in both attack and defence.

Van Zyl scored another well worked try following good work from the forwards and when Sharratt converted to tie the game it looked like the game was turning Dale’s way.

From the re-start Dale were soon on the attack again and when Tom Albinson dived over with Sharratt converting making it 17 – 10 the game looked as good as won.

But West had other ideas, and with a combination of fight and spirit from the home team and some questionable refereeing decisions they scored a try and penalty to win the game.