Rochdale Hornets 26 - 24 London Skolars

Jordan Case dives over to give Hornets an early lead

Rochdale Hornets won a very tense, thrilling Kingstone Press Championship 1 play-off game against London Skolars at Spotland by a very narrow two point margin.

Hornets started the game well as Jordan Case dived over to give them an early lead. The dependable boot of Crook added the extras.

Skolars lost Michael Worrincy off injured before Hornets increased their lead after a superb offload from Joe Greenwood let Sutton in at the corner. Crook converted.

The lead was quickly reduced as Skolars hit back straight away through Oscar Thomas. Dylan Skee converted.

Gareth Raynor crossed the line after good inter play to reduce Hornets lead further. The conversion was missed leaving Hornets with a slender two point advantage at the interval.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 12 - 10 London Skolars

The start of the second half saw Skolars take the lead for the first time as good hands put Gareth Raynor in for his second try of the game. The conversion was missed.

Hornets re-established their lead with a classic try. Fast hands and straight running saw Chris Baines gallop over and Crook added the extras.

Skolars' James Anthony crossed the line on their left after good hands outwitted the Hornets defence to level the score. The conversion attempt gave Skolars the opportunity to take the lead but was again missed leaving the score 18-18.

Paul Crook showed just what an invaluable asset he is to Hornets when he kicked a penalty from two metres inside the Hornets half that sailed over to give Hornets a two point lead.

Skolars took advantage of poor Hornets defence to go over for a soft try on the last tackle. The extras were added by Dylan Skee to give Skolars a four point lead with just minutes left to play.

However, Hornets would not lay down and die; Dave Llewellyn crashed over and Crook maintained his 100% record to add the extras and give Hornets a two point game winning lead.

Hornets will now face local rivals Oldham Roughyeds in a semi-final next Sunday.

Hornets Team: Gareth Langley, Dave Sutton, Danny Davies, Dave Llewellyn, Martin Waring, Paul Crook, Steven Roper, Carl Forster, Chris Hough, Warren Thompson, Jordan Case, Alex Trumper, Joe Greenwood.
Replacements: John Cookson, Andy Ainscough, Alex McClurg, Chris Baines

Skolars Team: James Anthony, John Paxton, Oscar Thomas, Joe Price, Gareth Raynor, Andy McClean, Dylan Skee, Michael Sykes, Jamaine Wray, David Williams, Sam Wellings, Mike Worrincy, James Roche.
Replacements: Martyn Smith, Jaroslaw Obuchowski, Rob Thomas, Olly Purslow

Referee: G Hewer
Touch Judges: B Patey & S Kilpatrick
Reserve: C Sharrad
M Com: P Gilmour