Rochdale Hornets 8 - 38 Featherstone Rovers

Date published: 07 May 2017

A first half masterclass from Featherstone put them beyond reach despite a decent second half effort from Rochdale Hornets.

Featherstone started as they meant to go on taking the lead within five minutes of kick off. A pass out wide on the last and Misi Taulapapa played a neat inside ball to Josh Hardcastle who touched down. Cory Aston's conversion attempt swung wide.

A penalty to Featherstone resulted in a second try as they attacked the Hornets line; Anthony Thackery sending Ian Hardman through a gaping hole in the Hornets defence to cross under the posts. Aston with the conversion.

Hornets only try of the half came from Rob Massam following Jake Eccleston's 30 metre crab across the pitch. He found Jordan Case whose grubber into the corner was pounced on by Massam. Danny Yates couldn't find goal from the touchline.

That was as good as it got for Hornets in the first half as Featherstone piled on the pressure and kept up a terrific pace.

That pressure soon paid off as they went over again on the back of weak defensive play from Hornets. Ian Hardman strolled in courtesy of a clever pass from Aston that exposed another hole in the Hornets defence. The conversion by Aston was good.

Anthony Thackeray kicked through and the ball ricocheted off Chris Riley, who took a boot to the face, before landing in the grasp of Michael Knowles for Featherstone's next try. Aston unsuccessful with his conversion attempt.

With the half time break looming, there was still time for two more Featherstone tries: Chris Ulugia fired a looping pass and Scott Turner finished in the corner. Aston again unsuccessful with his conversion attempt. With seconds to play, Turner walked on to an Thackeray grubber kick for his second try of the game. Aston's conversion attempt missed.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 4 - 28 Featherstone Rovers

The second half started much the same as the first with Featherstone piling on the points.

Hardman broke the Hornets line and passed inside to Matty Wilde who touched down. Aston this time with the extras.

Soon after, Taulapapa took a Hardcastle offload and ghosted across the whitewash. Aston missed with the goal attempt.

There followed a rare spell of Hornets fluidity and Yates dummied his way through but the referee pulled the try for obstruction.

After the brief lull, Featherstone once again began to apply sustained pressure but with their completion rate slipping, Hornets held them at bay and stopped the scoreboard constantly ticking over in Featherstone's favour.

With two minutes left to play, Hornets scored a consolation try; Yates floated a kick over the top and Massam did well to gather and touch down for his tenth try of the season. 

The defeat made it eight of the last eight lost, though Hornets remain fourth from bottom but with Swinton Lions now just a point below following thier unexpected win over Toulouse.

Hornets turn their attention to a trip to Halifax in two weeks in desperate need of a confidence boosting win.

Photos: © Jackie Meredith

Rochdale Hornets: Chris Riley, Miles Greenwood, Jack Holmes, Jake Eccleston, Rob Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Jordan Hand, Ben Moores, Gavin Bennion, Josh Crowley, Jordan Case, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Jay Lobwein, Jovili Taira, Matty Hadden, Sam Wilde.
Tries: Greenwood, Massam.

Featherstone Rovers: Ian Hardman, Misi Taulapapa, Josh Hardcastle, Chris Ulugia, Scott Turner, Anthony Thackeray, Cory Aston, Richard Moore, Keal Carlile, Luke Cooper, Michael Knowles, John Davies, James Lockwood.
Replacements: Matty Wildie, Darrell Griffin, Jordan Baldwinson, Bradley Tagg.
Tries: Hardcastle, Hardman (2), Knowles, Turner (2), Wildie, Taulapapa.
Goals: Aston (3).

Referee: John McMullen

Attendance: 766