Hornets looking for revenge against Bulldogs

Photo: Mark Harris

Batley Bulldogs beat Rochdale Hornets earlier in the season

Rochdale Hornets welcome Batley Bulldogs to the Crown Oil Arena hoping to right some wrongs after their defeat in the reverse fixture.

With a quarter of the game to play Hornets led 36-12 and looked to be on their way to a brilliant victory at the Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, only for the game to slip through their fingers in a dramatic ending to the game.

As Batley mounted a comeback Matty Hadden was sin-binned for a professional foul eight minutes from time, a period in which Batley crossed the try line twice.

After communicating with the referee’s coach in the week following the game Alan Kilshaw was told the decision was wrong and that the Irish front rower shouldn’t even have been penalised.

The game winning try looked to have come from a knock-on which the official on the day didn’t award, as Tom Lillycrop crossed for a late winner to steal a 38-34 victory for his side.

It was a bitter pill for the playing and coaching staff to swallow as they felt they should have come home with two points.

Hornets go into the game off the back of a victory over Bradford Bulls, as they completed a league double over their opponents to record only their second home win of the season.

Batley enjoyed a comprehensive 70-12 win over Sheffield Eagles and will be brimming with confidence as they head to the Crown Oil Arena.

It was a win which kept them five points clear of the Hornets and moved them into sixth place, consolidating their place inside the top eight.

Hornets captain Lewis Palfrey and full back Miles Greenwood remain sidelined, however Chris Riley returns after missing the last two weeks due to injury.

Anthony Walker made his debut after completing a move from Wakefield Trinity and picked up a hamstring injury, which looked set to put him out of action this weekend, however his recovery has gone better than expected and the front rower has been named in the 19-man squad and will face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s game.