Three penalty kicks followed, two for the visitors scored by Daniel Holland before Freeman replied for Hoppers.

Rossendale soon answered with their first try when they powered Hooker Jack Wilkinson over from a goal-line lineout.

Holland successfully converted increasing the lead to 3 before another penalty kick from Freeman levelled proceedings at 13-13 at half-time.

It was a carbon copy for Rossendale to score their 2nd try when Mac Duaibe scored from another line-out before Hoppers responded with a line-out try of their own courtesy of Harry Holden.

Freeman’s conversion went just wide leaving the visitors leading 20-18.

The key moment of the match happened in the 66th minute when both Hugo Castle and Jacob Browne were shown red amid a skirmish between the sides.

This only galvanised the hosts who battled determinedly and secured all 5 points thanks to a deserved brace late on from Owain Williams to give the hosts a 32-20 victory.

Louis Jefferson