Hornets fans swarm to another victory

Rochdale Swarm in their new kit.

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The Rochdale Swarm continued their good home form with a convincing 54-26 victory over an experienced Wakefield City Webcats.

The Wakefield side started the brighter running up a deserved lead in the opening quarter as the Swarm struggled with ball control, handing over easy possession, which the Yorkshire outfit put to good use to rack up a 14-0 advantage.

After a few harsh words and a couple of positional changes the Hornets Supporters team clicked into gear with Mark Thomas scoring his first of four tries to ease the Swarm nerves. Next up Adam Bates stormed through the Wakefield defence to claw back the deficit. Both tries converted by Scott Manock who would not miss a kick all the game.

The next try was possibly the score of the match when new recruit former Great Britain Student Rugby League International Aaron Howorth took the ball on his own 20 metre line and stepped through the smallest of gaps in the Yorkshiremen's defensive line and out paced the cover to gallop in to give the Swarm the lead for the first time.

The Rochdale side now had full control in attack and defence when Allen Osbaldeston showed some great footwork to notch another Swarm score closely followed by Thomas` second to give the Swarm a half time lead of 30-14.

After the break the Wakefield City side rallied and reduced the deficit but it was only a short lived revival as Bates and Howorth both grabbed another score apiece.

With Brian Ashton stopping the Wakefield attack gaining any momentum and Ziggy Ahmed pushing the Yorkshiremen back with some positive running, Thomas was able to cross the whitewash for another couple of four pointers again converted by Manock who ended the game with nine from nine conversion attempts. All the more impressive as Manock was due on a plane just a few hours later to fly to Mauritius to get married!

Wakefield awarded Mark Thomas the Man of the Match for his four try haul and special mention to Jack Ashworth who`s running split the Wakefield defence on several occasions.

The Swarm also revealed their National Lottery Sponsored new kit which was well received by players and Hornets fans alike.