Rochdale Hornets preview

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The league isn't won in Round 4 and Rochdale Hornets will look to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow (Sunday 12 May) as they take on London Skolars at Spotland, 3pm.

Disappointing defeats against South and North Wales respectively have hit the lads hard, but made them more determined to lay down a marker against Skolars this weekend.

Injuries still plague the team, with Lewis Sheridan having had plastic surgery following a nasty facial gash sustained in the under 20s.

Alex Trumper is still feared to be out for the season but awaits a scan and with Davies and Donoghue still 2-3 weeks away. 

Many of the under 20s are away on tour in Spain with Hopwood Hall College leaving options thin on the ground.

Coach Talbot will look to utilise the Saint Helen's link to bring in the quality players needed to take on what is sure to be a different Skolars side to the one that came to Spotland in the Northern Rail Cup and is also looking at a couple of new faces being added to the squad on a longer term basis.

Members are welcome to watch the captain's run, which this week will take place at Spotland Stadium, 6pm.

This week's fixture is sponsored by VB Health, with the match ball sponsor AAA Pest Control.

Fixture Switch
The RFL has confirmed that the Hornets v Oxford matches will be reversed due to pitch availability at Iffley Rd.

Hornets were due to take on Oxford on Sunday 9 June at Spotland but instead will travel to Oxford, which in turn will allow the renovation works at Spotland Stadium to take place a week earlier than scheduled.

With a Rugby League World Cup fixture taking place in October, the pitch is in need of work to the tune of £19,000 to ensure that the pitch is in a fit state for a world class sporting event.

The game scheduled to be away at Oxford on 28 July will now be played at Spotland, meaning that rugby league returns to Spotland a week earlier than originally planned.

Under 20s Fixture 

The under 20s take on Featherstone Rovers at Spotland this Wednesday 2 June.

Entry is via main reception and costs £3.

Professional Game Restructure

There has been a lot of discussion leaked to the media this week surrounding the restructuring of the professional ranks of the game (termed restructuring of Super League in the media) and the 'chosen' option.

Following a meeting in Coventry on Tuesday which CEO Ryan Bradley attended, Hornets are fully aware of the four proposals that were put forward (one of which has since been dismissed) and are inputting into the consultation period, as well as looking to fully consult with the membership at the members meeting on 6 June.

Nothing has been decided by the RFL, Super League or Championships regarding what structure will be in place. Hornets hope that a vote at Rugby League Council will take place in July, at which Chairman Mark Wynn will make known the opinion of the Hornets membership before voting accordingly.

In short, the proposals put forward are understood by Hornets as follows:

• 1. STATUS QUO: 14 team super league, one up one down. This option has been dismissed 
• 2. PRE 2012: 12 team Super League, one up, one down, no licensing criteria. 
• 3. CONVENTIONAL: Divisions of 10 with promotion and relegation
• 4. THE FORMULA: Two divisions of 12, which then split into three divisions of eight, underpinned by two regional leagues of seven. 

All options have positives and negatives as well as financial implications, and Hornets will discuss in full at the members meeting on 6 June.

Hornets are hopeful of a paper from the RFL which can be circulated to members before the meeting.

Racist Behaviour

Rochdale Hornets have had a complaint from North Wales Crusaders suggesting that a Hornets fan made racist remarks towards one of their players.

The club is working with Crusaders to identify if anything untoward was said and to see if we can identify the culprit via CCTV footage.

Rochdale Hornets have zero tolerance of any racist behaviour. Any fans who witness or hear anything that may cause offence are asked to report it in confidence to a match day steward and the club will take action.