Bloomfield relishing Widnes clash

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Dale Bloomfield

When Dale Bloomfield steps out onto the Spotland pitch on Sunday his friends and family could have a dilemma of who to support on their hands.

That is because the 28-year-old Rochdale Hornets winger is facing his home town club Widnes Vikings in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth round.

It won’t be the first time he has come up against the Vikings though, as he featured for the Hornets in their 50-10 Northern Rail Cup defeat at the Select Security Stadium back in 2011.

“Widnes weren’t at the level they are at now but it was still a good game to play in,” commented Bloomfield.

“I had all my mates there supporting me and it was in front of a big crowd, so it was a good experience.”

With Widnes top of Super League at the time it was a dream draw for the wide-man, and he is looking forward to the challenge that this weekend will bring.

“When the draw was made Widnes were the best team in it, and obviously that was the draw I wanted and now I’m excited about it and looking forward to it.

“It will be good to have the chance to play against my hometown team. Obviously they are Super League and normally we wouldn’t get the chance to face them.

“It’s an opportunity to put in a good performance, match Super League opposition and show that we can hold our own against them.”

He is currently in his second spell with Rochdale, having briefly joined rivals Oldham before his return in 2015, and he has racked up 91 appearances in blue, white and red.

Only three of those have come in 2016 though, as injury has hampered the 2015 top try scorer’s season so far.

“It’s been really frustrating. I had an ankle ligament injury and have picked up a couple of knocks too, but hopefully I’ve come out the other side of that.”

His strike rate over the years is impressive with 64 four pointers to his name, scoring three times already this season despite his limited involvement.

That doesn’t mean that the wing spot is guaranteed though, as he faces stern competition from Chris Riley and Corey Lee, but that competition for places is something which will bring out the best in Bloomfield.

“Personally you want to be the best in your position, and having to work for my place ahead of the other lads is motivating me to play better.

“Chris Riley is the same age as me and I’ve known him since I was young, but obviously he has more experience at a higher level. He has helped me improve since he joined the club.”

The Hornets have a perfect record in the league so far this season and are coming together well on and off the pitch, however the Widnes-born winger believes that they can improve ahead of the Viking invasion.

“I still think there’s room for improvement in the team, but we’re going the right way at the moment. We’re undefeated in the league and there seems to be good team morale, we’re bonding well and everyone is sticking together.

“I don’t think we have put together an 80 minute performance yet, but I think when we do we will show just how good we are.”