Batley Bulldogs 30 - 14 Rochdale Hornets

Date published: 27 February 2024

Rochdale Hornets head coach Gary Thornton handed a competitive debut to centre Lameck Juma after the completion of his signing during the week for the Betfred Challenge Cup Fourth Round clash against Batley Bulldogs.

Head Coach Thornton, leading a side for the first time back to the club where he spent several years both as a player and a coach, also recalled Gregg McNally, Dan Nixon, Martyn Ridyard and captain Duane Straugheir in five changes to the thirteen which suffered defeat against Oldham Roughyeds last time out.

Prior to kick-off, there was a touching tribute to former Hornets chairman Peter Rush who sadly passed away on Wednesday, with the side sporting black armbands in memory of Peter who lived and breathed Rochdale Hornets. Both sides also paid respect to Batley club chef Chris Carr who also passed away during the week with a minute's applause.

The game began in scrappy fashion, with great work from Hornets' full-back Gregg McNally forcing an error from Batley in the tackle earning Hornets a penalty until an incorrect play-the-ball on the right edge gave Batley possession back.

New boy Lameck Juma wasted no time in showing the travelling Hornets faithful, who were in fine voice throughout the afternoon, a glimpse of what he was about. The former London Bronco drove Hornets up the pitch from inside their own half in a play that resulted in the centre being held up inches from making a dream start to his Rochdale Hornets career.

On twelve minutes, Hornets got the try their start to the game deserved. Two loose passes from midfield saw the ball worked out to wing-man Tommy Brierley who picked the ball up, skipped past two Batley defenders, showing his pace before cutting inside and crossing for a superb solo try. In blustery conditions, Martyn Ridyard hit to the left post with his attempt at a conversion with the ball ricocheting back into the field of play to see the scoreline reading 0-4 to the visitors.

Batley began to gain a foothold in the tie after Hornets' impressive start. The Bulldogs made the pressure count in the twentieth minute as they chose to run it on the last tackle, playing the ball through the hands for George Senior to dive over in the left corner. Josh Woods, who was impressive from the kicking tee all game, was successful with his conversion from the touchline to give the hosts a 6-4 lead.

Batley went back to back ten minutes later, Rochdale gave away a set of six right on their own tryline, something that Bulldogs forward Luke Cooper took full advantage of powering his way through under the sticks. Woods added the extras to make it 12-4 to the Championship side.

Hornets kept up the intensity as the half drew on, interchanges Killan and Andrade were strong in the tackle to earn a penalty which from the resulting set Lewis Else was adjudged to be offside when collecting a neat grubber from McNally.

 

 

Buoyed by momentum Batley crossed again soon after, a neat kick in behind by Alistair Leak was pounced upon by Joe Burton to cross with Woods again making the kick from out wide. 18-4 to the Yorkshire side.

With the scoreline slightly flattering the hosts, Hornets went in at half-time with the deficit narrowed as Tommy Brierley intercepted a loose pass from Woods on his own try-line, going the length of the pitch to score with Ridyard adding the two after the hooter had sounded. Batley led 18-10 after a battle of a first forty minutes.

Playing up the infamous slope at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium in the second half, Hornets knew they’d have to battle to get anything out of the game. They started with this exact mindset as strong carries from Else aligned with stout defence saw Batley frustrated for the first ten minutes of the second half.

After being held up twice from some superb defending, Batley eventually breached the Rochdale defences in the fifty-sixth minute as a good pass out the back from Ben White put Nyle Flynn over to score. Dave Gibbons took over kicking duties as Woods had limped off, the new kicker continued the Bulldogs 100% kicking success and increased the score to 24-10.

Hornets set about Batley after the restart, a weaving run by Lewis Else saw him get into the in-goal area before he was carried over into touch. Batley were then caught offside giving Hornets a great opportunity to score which they duly took as Dan Nixon finished in trademark fashion wide on the left. Ridyard missing another difficult kick to narrow the scoreline to 24-14 with fifteen minutes to play.

Five minutes later, Batley showcased exactly why they are a Championship side, good passing through the hands across the pitch saw Alistair Leak presented with the opportunity to dive over and wrap up the victory for Batley, Gibbons again added the extras to increase the score to 30-14 in the hosts’ favour.

Hornets pushed for a late try to change the scoreline to one which reflected their effort in the game, Nixon thought he was put through for his second of the game after a superb flat pass by Else, who had a stellar second half, but was called forward as the hooter sounded to signal full time.

Hornets will be proud of their performance against Championship opposition as they pressured Batley and had them under the cosh for large periods of the game, showcasing positive attacking and defending displays which set Gary Thornton's side in good stead for the start of the League One season. Batley showed why they are a Championship side throughout the game and secured their passage into the fifth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Brierley, Juma, Harrop, Nixon, Ridyard, Else, Nelmes, Rudd, Brannan, Forster, Straugheir, Meadows. Interchanges: Flanagan, Andrade, Brennan, Killan

Tries: Brierley x2 (12,40), Nixon (65)
Goals: Ridyard 1/3

Report by Thomas Pearson