Rochdale Hornets Ladies 8 - 18 Batley Bullets

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Rochdale Hornets Ladies played and lost their first game of the season today (Sunday 17 November), against Batley Bullets at Firgrove Playing Field, Rochdale.

Before the game, coach, Terri Davey said: “We’re excited and raring to go. We’re ready to show what we can do and just want to get out there now.”

Hornets were without prop forward Becki Etchells, who is suffering from a dislocated knee. Keeley Ramsbottom, daughter of Hornets first team assistant coach Dave, was also missing.

New members of the Hornets team had joined from Hollingworth High School, where they were national champions. “It is a big thing for them to come up today,” said Terri.

Batley Bullets have been the league's whipping girls in previous seasons but a few new recruits and a renewed purpose had seen them win their first three games of the season and went into today's game top of the table.

In a game of the proverbial two halves, Hornets dominated the first half and Batley the second half.

Hornets Ladies, playing their first game of the season to Batley's fourth, took the game to Batley in the first half and scored two excellent tries to lead at half-time, 8-0.

The second half was a different story as Batley pushed hard and were camped in the Hornets half for long periods.

Two tries and conversions, plus a penalty gave Batley an 8-14 lead with just five minutes to play.

Hornets had a chance to level as they approached the Batley posts for the first time in the half but a knock on by the winger gave Batley the ball and from there they worked their way up field to put the game beyond doubt. The conversion took the final score to 8-16.