Rochdale Hornets 38 - 16 Gloucestershire All Golds

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Michael Ratu, Hornets

Rochdale Hornets remain unbeaten in the league having defeated Gloucestershire All Golds to make it four wins from four so far this season.

It was far from a vintage performance from Hornets as they were made to work hard for the win by All Golds who muscled their way back into the contest late in the second half.

It took a clutch play from Alex Trumper to secure the win as his interception try halted their momentum and put Hornets out of sight with just four minutes remaining.

The game was littered with penalties in the second period as All Golds’ attempts to slow the ruck hampered Hornet’s chances of playing free-flowing rugby.

Michael Ratu made his first appearance since September after completing his recovery from a shoulder injury, and marked his return with a brace of tries.

Dale Bloomfield and James Tilley also recovered from injury to make the starting line-up, as Samir Tahraoui and Paul Crook were missing, with Dec Patton making his debut on dual registration from Warrington Wolves.

Jordan Case opened the scoring after five minutes as Ben Moores opted to attack the bling side, and Case showed great strength to bounce off an attempted tackle and find the try line.

All Golds levelled through Jamie Murphy, as he forced his way over from dummy-half off the back of a goal-line drop-out.

Hornets replied through Bloomfield, after a strong carry from Dan Murray put the hosts on the front foot, and Moores fired a cut-out ball to the wide man to send him over in the corner.

Jono Smith came up with a brilliant offload, under the attention of a number of All Golds defenders and on his way to the ground, to send Danny Yates over for the next score.

The half ended with Jack Johnson stepping his way through a gaping hole in the defence and touching down next to the posts, giving Hornets a 20-4 lead at the break.

Ratu registered the first points of the second half after Patton stood up a pass for the on-rushing centre, and he was too quick and powerful for his opposite numbers.

The referee placed All Golds on a team warning, before denying Johnson a quick tap which would have seen the pacey wide man race clear and possibly pick up a second try of the afternoon.

Back-to-back tries for All Golds set up a tense finish, as firstly Phil Cowburn strolled over in acres of space out wide, before Lamont Bryan’s break paved the way for a try for former Hornet Jonny Leather.

All Golds were probing for a third score of the half when Trumper came up with an interception in his own half, and he had the legs to finish under the posts and secure the two points for Hornets.

There was still time for Ratu to register his second, with Case’s offload close to the try line sending him over on the right edge. Yates’ fifth conversion wrapped up a 38-16 victory.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Chris Riley, Jack Johnson, Michael Ratu, Dale Bloomfield, Dec Patton, Danny Yates, Dan Murray, Ben Moores, Warren Thompson, Jono Smith, Jordan Case, James Tilley Subs: Alex McClurg, Matty Hadden, Alex Trumper, James Dandy.

Tries: Case (5), Bloomfield (21), Yates (25), Johnson (37), Ratu (53, 78), Trumper (76)
Goals: Patton 0/1, Yates 5/6

Gloucestershire All Golds: Jamie Murphy, Jonny Leather, Josh Allison, Joe McClan, Phil Cowburn, Courtney Davies, Brendon Newton, Alex Davidson, Aimer Tagatuna, Harrison Elliot, Lamont Bryan, Richard Jones, Emmerson Whittel Subs: Steve Parry, Graham O’Keefe, Ollie Purslow, Morgan Evans.

Tries: Murphy (14), Cowburn (65), Leather (70)
Goals: Davies 0/1, Murphy 2/2