ROSSENDALE got their season off to the best possible start with a five try 36-10 win at home to Alnwick.

Tom Bedlow crossed for the opening score, taking advantage of a powerful break by Tom Jones, Lewis Allen on hand with the conversion.

A break by Brad Cave created the opportunity for the second try, the ball moving swiftly along the line where Curtis Strong was on hand to finish off some some neat handling from the inside backs.

From a scrum close to the Alnwick line Damon Hall looped round to cross for the third. Both tries were converted by Allen for 21-0.

Just before the break the visitors came into the game with an unconverted try to close the half Rossendale 21-5 ahead.

In the second period a superb solo effort by Sam Greenwood, leaving would be defenders in his wake before scoring under the posts brought up the bonus point.

Allen slotted the conversion and added a penalty for 31-5 coming into the closing stages.

Alnwick refused to give in and went over for a well deserved second score before Rossendale rounded off a more than satisfactory opening effort with a try from Keiron Allen following a break through mid-field.

This coming Saturday Rossendale are away at Wirral who went down 22-14 away at Billingham.