Rochdale Hornets 30 - 18 Hunslet

Date published: 18 September 2024

Rochdale Hornets got their League One play off campaign off to the perfect start on Sunday 15 September as they overcame the tough challenge of Hunslet RLFC in tough weather conditions.

Head coach Gary Thornton named an unchanged side to the one that beat Keighley Cougars last time out as his side looked to continue the fine form they had shown in the closing stages of the regular season.

Hornets began the game under pressure from the fired-up visitors and they struck first after only five minutes. The ball was worked to the left and Jude Ferreira cut through a gap in the Hornets defence to dive over the line. Matty Beharrell missed the conversion. 0-4.

The slow start from Hornets was capitalised on again by Hunslet three minutes later as Goddard touched down after a delicate grubber kick through the line by George Flanagan and Jr. Beharrell added the two this time to give Hunslet the advantage their start deserved. 0-10.

With Hornets seemingly shaken by their sluggish start, they got themselves back into the game in the 14th minute. Rochdale forced a repeat set and made it count as Lameck Juma skipped inside from the right edge and spotted a gap to gleefully dive over. Mackenzie Harman made no mistake with the conversion. 6-10.

Hunslet, not deterred by Hornets cutting their advantage, helped themselves to another try moments later. A high kick on the last was taken well by Jack Render who touched down in the left corner. Beharrell’s conversion attempt sailed wide. 6-14.

The Hornets defence had to be in top condition over the next ten minutes of the game as Hunslet threatened to go over again as they worked out their middles, but some strong goal line defence kept them at bay.

With ten minutes of the half to go, the superb Lewis Else crossed for the Hornets. After soaking up pressure, Aiden Roden produced a magnificent break from dummy-half and found Else in support to race over from 30m out. Harman’s conversion struck the post. 10-14.

Hornets had the bit between their teeth now as they looked to replicate the try blitz they produced against Keighley. After conceding two penalties on the bounce, the visitors couldn’t keep Hornets at bay for the third set in a row as Jordan Andrade crashed over. Harman added the two to give Rochdale the lead. 16-14.

On their next attack the Hornets had another. Working down the short side, Myles Harrop made a break and found his mate Luke Forber in support to race over in the corner. Harman dragged the conversion wide, and the Hornets led 20-14 going into the second half.

The second half began with another Rochdale Hornets try. The ball was worked left through the hands, and Gregg McNally sent Myles Harrop over from close range. Harman added the extras. 26-14.

Hornets showcased some more excellent defence as the rain continued to pour as they frequently forced Hunslet into errors as they attempted to crash over the line. Brilliant stuff from Gary Thornton’s men.

Hunslet did cut the gap in the 58th minute however as a looping ball over the top sent Render in for his second of the afternoon. Beharrell failed with his conversion. 26-18.

With the game nearing its conclusion, there was still time for the little magician to have yet another say on the game. Lewis Else made the try by reacting quickest to his own kick through after it was fumbled by Hunslet and then finished the game off himself as he found a way over in the corner. 30-18.

With the hooter sounding, the game ended on a sour note for the Hornets. A huge melee broke out with all 26 players and subs getting involved after the visitors took a disliking to a tackle by Luke Nelmes. The referee acted by giving Nelmes a straight red card with Misi Taulapapa and Flanagan Jr seeing yellow.

Victory in week one of the play-offs means that the Hornets now travel to Cougar Park on Sunday 22 September to face Keighley Cougars in the League One play off semi final, kick-off at 3pm.

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Juma, Taulapapa, Harrop, Forber, Harman, Else, Spencer-Tonks, Roden, Nelmes, Forster, Straugheir, Whittel. Interchanges: Ratchford, Roberts, Andrade, Killan

Tries: Juma, Else (2), Andrade, Forber, Harrop

Conversions: Harman 3/6

Report by Tom Pearson