Hornets u20s 20-28 South Wales u20

Photo: Alpha Photography

Hornets u20s 20 - South Wales u20 28

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Rochdale Hornets u20 put on a fighting display against a strong South Wales Scorpions team on Saturday evening, but ultimately came out second best.

With late injuries in the first team, several of Matt Calland's experienced players were called up leaving Hornets needing to recall retiree Andy Taylor while South Wales, who fielded five Super League Dual Registration players plus a loanee from Widnes in their first team, had a strong compliment of first teamers on display.

The game got off to a fiesty start with Hornets' full back Harmer starting an altercation with the South Wales winger, which resulted in both players leaving for the sin bin and the Hornets man needing stitches for a nasty facial gash.

Both teams traded early scores but the first bit of magic came from Benji Lloyd, who put in a great kick for speedster Ault, relation of ex Saint Kyle Eastmond, to score in the corner and take the score to 8-10 Scorpions.

Both defences were sloppy at best and a Lewis Sheridan penalty on the stroke of half time sent the teams in at 14-14 at the break.

Scorpions scored first in the second half before a darting run by Glyn Roberts put the Hornets 20-18 ahead.

The Welshman hit back before a crucial knock-on over the line by Hornets gave the Scorpions the boost they needed, as the big men in the pack took control and posted two tries to sink Hornets 28-20.

Calland's men will need to improve their defence as they head to Cougar Park on Thursday evening (5pm kick off) for their next fixture.

Hornets Team:
Keiron Harmer
Dylan Ault
Josh Masken
Liam Whalley
Luke Kavanagh
Benji Lloyd
Glyn Roberts
Jake Boardman
Lewis Sheridan (Sponsored by Howarths Timber)
James Shaw
Ryan Bradbury
Sean Mulcahy
Josh Watson
Brandon Mills
Michael Lockwood
Bruno Olivieira
Andy Taylo