Massive for Hornets, says Captain Crook

Paul Crook equalled Hornets all-time point scoring record in the final against Toulouse

Rochdale Hornets promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship, having beaten Toulouse Olympique in the League One Promotion Final in France, is a 'massive achievement for the club, says team captain Paul Crook.

Council Leader Richard Farnell agrees and revealed to Rochdale Online that the Council is planning a civic reception to acknowledge the scale of Hornets' achievement.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Paul Crook (aka the Ginger General), said: “It's massive that we had the chance to be promoted to the Championship. It was unbelievable that all our hard work paid off; it was a great effort from all the lads and the coaching staff.

"When you have late nights and early mornings, you do give up a lot of your time with your family. Games like Saturday make it all worthwhile."

The achievement is made all the more impressive when it is considered that each member of the Hornets plays rugby part-time, compared to Toulouse who play full-time.

Crook teaches PE at Hope Academy, in Newton-le-Willows, where he is also Head of Year Eight.

When Crook, 30, converted Hornets' fourth, and final, goal of the game he equalled Hornets all-time point scoring record with 1,497 points, a record which has stood for 86 years. He has played for Hornets for seven years, travelling from his home in St Helens.

Hornets is one of the oldest rugby league clubs in the world as one of the original 22 clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. This became the Rugby Football League.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/105131/toulouse-olympique-22-24-rochdale-hornets