A penalty count of 13 by Rossendale to 5 by Hull Ionians could have cost the visitors, three of their penalties led to driven over tries.
Hull Ionians worked hard throughout the match and matched them in tries, 5 each, but with their long injury list extended by loosing both Greg Minikin and James Watts to injury in the first half did not help.
Josh Thundercliffe led the team out in his 100th game for the team and they made a good start.
A penalty line-out saw Hull Ionians strike first, Adam Brankley driven over in the corner but with constant kicking for territory Rossendale spent 10 minutes within 5 metres without breaking the Hull Ionians disciplined defence. Then having cleared the line and pushed Dale into their own half a missed tackle saw Owen Boxall race 40 metres to the posts, Rogers converting as he did all day.
Another deep kick earned a Rossendale penalty 5 metres out and moving it wide saw Terence Bararinsa cross. The half closed with a string of penalties by Dale for Hull Ionians excellent line-out work to set up the drive for Adam Brankley to peel off and score, Ben Smith converting to trail 12-14 at the break.
Dale increased their lead after the break when Dale man of the match Brenen Berry surprised himself when he ripped the ball out after a deep kick chase to go under the posts.
With Dale down to 14 men after a yellow card Hull Ionians struck back twice. A solo run then kick ahead into open space saw Cameron Burnhill score then from the restart Sam Pocklington intercepted and ran 70 metres to the posts, Ben Smith converting this one to retake the lead 24-21
Back to 15 men Dale retook the lead with Maciu Nabogi driving over after a series of close range drives had been initially held.
Six Minutes later Hull Ionians were back in front again when a penalty line-out catch and drive saw Ben Stephenson reply.
In the last 10 of an entertaining game Dale took the match with Lukas Sableman-Blue racing to the corner after the forwards were held and they made it safe with a Rogers penalty in the final play.