A cross-linkable or cross-linked rubber composition having a diene rubber selected from one or more natural rubbers, one or more synthetic rubbers or combinations thereof as well as a petroleum hydrocarbon resin. The petroleum hydrocarbon resin may be characterized as having a number-average molecular weight of between 750 and 1000 g/mole, a glass transition temperature of between 20° C. and 60° C. and a polydispersity index of between 1.8 and 3. Furthermore, the resin has units resulting from the polymerization of dicyclopentadiene and dicyclopentadiene codimers with an olefinic composition. Additionally, the rubber composition may include a reinforcing filler that is selected from an inorganic filler, an organic filler or combinations thereof. The composition is useful as a material for articles that include tire components, such as a tire tread.