Ilkley 27

Rossendale 13

ROSSENDALE'S hopes of a top four finish in National League Three North suffered a blow after they slipped to defeat at Ilkley.

Victory would have taken the Marl Pits side in to fourth spot with Waterloo losing away at Billingham but instead they are now down in seventh place as they were unable to make much headway against a very resilient Ilkley side at Stacks Field,

It all started well for the visitors with a try back row forward Dominic Moon following some good work by scrum half Ryan De La Harpe and Paddy Pole.

But the lead was short lived as the home side hit back with a try from James Johnson with the conversion by Joe Rowntree giving Ilkley a 7-5 lead at the interval,

A penalty by Steve Nutt restored the Rossendale advantage before a try from George Peel extended the visitors lead to 13-7.

Danny Collins snaffled an over- throw by Ilkley at the line out to put James Bramhall away and the outside half threw a delightful long pass out to Peel on the wing who went over in the corner for Dale's second try.

However, a try from James Spencer, converted by Rowntree, gave the Yorkshire outfit a one point lead and with two further penalties from Rowntree, Dale needed to score twice to snatch the win.

But although Rossendale continued to press, a second try from Johnson converted by Rowntree sealed the win for the home side.