Phoenix were edged out in a tough encounter in Widnes against fourth-place Birchfield on Saturday.
Pendle lost Shaye McCullough and Luke McNamee in the pre-match warm up, and Birchfield took full advantage.
It wasn’t long before the number eight picked up and scored the opening try. Birchfield’s kicker added the extras.
Pendle reacted well, and although Craig Wiseman was stopped a metre short of the line, efficient rucking from Stu Riley, James Finucane and Nick Martin allowed quick ball to Carl Wiseman, who stole his way to the line to score. Rob Lawless added the conversion.
Pendle kept running with every opportunity, and when Daniel Rowland was given a penalty for a high tackle, a quick tap penalty found James Redford, and he cut through the defence. With good support from Sonny Waddington, Wiseman scored his second try of the game, and Lawless added the extras.
Birchfield came back all guns blazing, with a penalty reducing the arrears to 14-10.
With half-time approaching, Pendle’s added a penalty to extend their lead to 17-10, though the hosts were awarded a penalty try, and with the last kick of the half, the conversion made it 17-17.
In the second half, Pendle were penalised at the scrum, and with just 20 minutes to go, Birchfield went into the lead at 20-17.
However, Pendle were able to drive the Birchfield pack back for the first time in the game and a 15-metre maul resulted in Finucane scoring, with Lawless making it 24-17.
Pendle were surprised when the referee awarded another penalty try with only three minutes to go, and the hosts claimed a 27-24 win.
The SAMBA man of the match was Lawless, and Pendle would also like to thank match ball sponsors REM for their support.