Hull were undone by a penalty count in Rossendale’s favour in an indifferent performance at the lineout where Hull lost three on their own throw and gave away several penalties in that phase of the game.
Their try count of four to two was a tribute to their much more expansive style than their opponents who relied on a very efficient pack and a good goal kicker.
First half tries to Wes Langkilde and Rupert Kay plus a Simon Humberstone conversion saw Hull lead 12-9 at half-time. Further tries by Mike Adlard on the wing and Tom O’Donnell in the back row were augmented by a conversion and two penalties from Simon Humberstone but Rossendale scored tries through Jordan Lord and number seven Phil Mills as well as goal kicks from Tom Leader to take the win by the narrowest of margins.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 