Law Cup: Oldham Roughyeds 12 - 24 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Law Cup: Oldham Roughyeds v Rochdale Hornets

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Just as he did 12 months ago Lewis Palfrey lifted the Law Cup aloft at the full-time whistle, however this time it was in Hornets colours as they ran out winners.

Hornets weren’t at their attacking best due to a combination of errors and being on the wrong end of a 13-7 penalty count, however their commitment and controlled aggression in defence was something coach Alan Kilshaw will be delighted with.

After hardly touching the ball in the first half they still managed to go into the break level with Oldham, and once they got a hold of the game they threatened to run riot.

A thunderous hit from Gavin Bennion set the tone for the rest of the game, and the Hornets' defence saw them repel back-to-back goal line drop-outs before forcing George Tyson into touch.

Danny Yates was in for a try after chasing down Palfrey’s kick, however he was pulled back for offside.

A drop-out followed by a penalty led to Oldham opening the scoring as Phil Joy barged over from close range to plant the ball down. Scott Leatherbarrow making it 6-0 with the conversion.

Hornets scored from their first real attack of the game; straight from a scrum Chris Riley raced through a hole in the Oldham defence to score. Palfrey knocked over the conversion from the touchline to level the scores.

Lee Mitchell made his debut for Hornets on dual registration from Warrington Wolves and was a stand-out performer, racking up good numbers in both carries and tackles in a scrappy first half.

The 575 fans who had braved the cold conditions saw the second half start as the first had ended, with errors and penalties littering the opening exchanges.

Hornets took the lead when Ben Moores, who once again impressed, found Jordan Case with a short-ball and the second rower spun over for a converted try.

Oldham gave Hornets a free ride up the field when they were penalised for holding down and were made to pay for their mistake when Moores came up with another try assist. This time it was with the boot as he stabbed a kick into the in-goal where Garry Middlehurst pounced to score against his former club. Palfrey’s conversion gave Hornets a 12 point cushion.

With just 10 minutes left on the clock the game was put to bed; Yates broke before finding Case in support, and off the back of that play the Hornets were in again, with Yates the architect. The half-back, who went on to win his second successive Karl Marriot trophy for man-of-the-match, fired a cut-out ball to Lewis Galbraith who finished well in the corner against his home town club for a six pointer.

Two minutes from time a Tyson kick fell for Gareth Owen to score an Oldham consolation.

In a heated end to the afternoon Tyson and Paddy Jones were sent-off after the final whistle for fighting but once tempers had calmed Palfrey paraded the trophy to the vocal Hornets travelling support, before taking the Law Cup back home to Rochdale.

Oldham Roughyeds: Scott Turner, Harry Warburton, George Tyson, Sam Gee, Jamel Chisholm, Scott Leatherbarrow, David Hewitt, Adam Neal, Gareth Owen, Phil Joy, Jack Spencer, Micky Wood, Paul Clough Subs: Kenny Hughes, Patrick Diskin, Michael Ward, Joe Burke.
Tries: Joy (13), Owen (78).
Goals: Leatherbarrow 2/2.

Rochdale Hornets: Chris Riley, Jake Eccleston, Jordan Case, Lewis Galbraith, Jack Holmes, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Samir Tahraoui, Ryan Maneely, Gavin Bennion, Josh Crowley, Lee Mitchell, Garry Middlehurst Subs: Ben Moores, Jo Taira, Matty Hadden, Paddy Jones.
Tries: Riley (17), Case (55), Middlehurst (65), Galbraith (70).
Goals: Palfrey 4/4

Penalty count: 13-7

Attendance: 575