Sheffield Eagles 38 - 14 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets

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Rochdale Hornets suffered defeat at the hands of Sheffield Eagles for the second time this season, as Garry Lo ran in five tries.

Lo has scored eight tries in the two meetings of the clubs as he was instrumental in the Eagles' victory at Belle Vue on Sunday afternoon.

Hornets were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening two games of the season, but were well beaten by the Eagles.

The game was in the balance at half time as Jono Smith's try put Hornets within two points of the Eagles, but three tries in seven minutes in the second half helped the Eagles open up a big lead and a lack of execution in attack saw Hornets come up short.

Lo opened the scoring after just five minutes as he stepped inside off the wing to charge over from close range. He benefitted from a Miles Greenwood error for his second, pouncing on his knock-on in the in-goal area.

Although they gave away possession cheaply, Hornets defended their line well and got their rewards with the last play of the half, as Danny Yates' perfectly weighted flat pass was met by the on-rushing Smith who scored to the left of the posts.

Lewis Palfrey had the last say of the half with the conversion, and at 8-6 the game was very much in the balance.

After the break Hornets hard work was undone, as Lo completed his hat-trick when he raced down the left edge from a floating cut-out ball and bumped off the attempted challenge of Chris Riley.

Menzie Yere was the next Eagles player over the try line as he strolled over from three-on-one on the left edge.

When Lo broke from the kick-off to lay a try on for Jack Owens, The Eagles had opened up a commanding lead.

Elliot Minchella added to that lead when he touched down Simon Brown's grubber.

Hornets were over straight from the kick-off, as the ball bounced kindly for Smith who sent Rob Massam over in the left corner.

With 10 minutes to play Massam was over again - giving Hornets a glimmer of hope - combining with Smith again to charge over from close range.

It wasn't the start of a miraculous comeback though, as a late double from Lo saw him notch up five tries and round off victory for his team.

Sheffield Eagles: Jack Owens, Garry Lo, Menzie Yere, Paddy Flynn, Ben Blackmore, Simon Brown, Elliot Minchella, Scott Wheeldon, Matthew Fozard, Mark Mexico, Matthew James, Duane Straugheir, William Hope.
Replacements: Gregory Burns, James Green, Sam Scott, Jordan Cox.
Tries: Lo (5), Yere, Owens, Minchella.
Goals: Brown (3).

Rochdale Hornets: Chris Riley, Miles Greenwood, Jake Eccleston, Lewis Galbraith, Rob Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Jo Taira, Ryan Maneely, Gavin Bennion, Jono Smith, Jordan Case, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Ben Moores, Matthew Hadden, Matty Blythe, Lee Mitchell.
Tries: Smith, Massam (2).
Goals: Palfrey

Referee: John Roberts

Attendance: 341