Wayne English confident Rochdale Hornets will improve

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Wayne English, Hornets

Rochdale Hornets are currently unbeaten in their Kingstone Press League One campaign and sit at the top of the division with four wins from four, however co-captain Wayne English insists that there is still room for improvement despite their promising start to 2016.

They were made to work hard for a 38-16 victory over Gloucestershire All Golds at the weekend, as their attempts to play attacking rugby were halted by the sluggish pace of the contest.

The win was made more important by their defeat at the hands of York City Knights a week earlier, as they crashed out of iPro Sport Cup, to the disappointment of the veteran fullback.

“We were disappointed to go out of the cup because we really fancied ourselves to get to the final and maybe win it, but it wasn’t to be,” commented the 36-year-old.

“We need to make sure we keep this league form up now and don’t have any slip ups.”

Although they came away from the All Golds game with two competition points, he also admitted that Rochdale aren’t quite at their best yet.

“We’re not playing as well as we want to be, but to be this far in and be top of the league, we can’t really complain. I think we would have taken that at the start of the season.”

Head coach Alan Kilshaw has earmarked their defensive efforts for improvement, as he isn’t pleased with the amount of back-to-back tries his side are conceding.

That, along with their discipline, is something English is confident of improving on as a team over the coming weeks.

“Our discipline at the moment isn’t quite where it should be and we are letting teams back in the game when we do take a lead.

“We want to be a lot more ruthless in our defence, and if we do concede we don’t want to be conceding straight after. The lads are going to work hard towards that.

“It is easily fixed and hopefully over these next few weeks we can eradicate that, kick on and hopefully stay at the top.”

Next up for the Hornets is the visit of Super League side Widnes Vikings in the fifth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup this Sunday.

Despite the two tier gap between the clubs, it isn’t that first time that English has faced the Vikings, as in his second season with the club he was in the team which were beaten 50-10 at the Select Security Stadium back in 2011.

That game took place in the now defunct Northern Rail Cup, and although he doesn’t remember much from the game, he recalls it being a tough ask to match Widnes even though they were a Championship club.

“I just remember it being a big challenge at the time. They were still a good side back then and now they have got a few seasons in Super League under their belt and are a top side now. We’ve got to be at our best to come anywhere near them.”

It will be a great occasion, not just for the club but also for the town of Rochdale when they host their top flight counterparts this weekend.

Wayne is hoping it attracts a healthy crowd, and is looking forward to the pressure being off the team as they go into the tie as underdogs.

“It’s massive for the town and it is massive for the players to be involved in, especially the younger guys who have probably never played against Super League opposition before.

“It’s going to be really good and hopefully people who don’t normally come to the games will come and support their local team.

“There’s no pressure on us, and I don’t think the lads will be too fazed by it. It is a big challenge, but hopefully one we will rise to, give it the best we can and see where we’re at come the end of the day.”