Rochdale Hornets 12 - 42 Dewsbury Rams

Photo: Chris Whitehead Photography

Rochdale Hornets 12 - 42 Dewsbury Rams

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Rochdale Hornets first game In the Kingstone Press Championship saw them lose at home to Dewsbury Rams.

Hornets took a slender 6-4 lead in after a very tight and close first half with both sides going over the try line just once. However, Dewsbury piled on the pressure in the second half and six further tries to Hornets one gave Dewsbury the points.

It took until the thirtieth minute before the deadlock was broken and Dewsbury went over for the first four points - the kick was missed.

Matt Dawson showed great speed and foot work as he went over to level the scores. Crook added the extras to give Hornets a 6-4 half time lead.

Dewsbury levelled the scores in the opening minutes of the second half with a penalty, converted by Hyde, before a sustained period of pressure paid off with Dewsbury scoring two tries - Morton and Thackeray the scorers - in quick succession. Both conversions were successful to give Dewsbury a 12 point lead.

Hornets hit back as Joe Greenwood dived on a double grubber kick and Crook converted to bring Hornets back within a try and conversion of Dewsbury.

Dewsbury stretched their lead back to eight points with an easy penalty.

Dewsbury continued to press and the pressure told as two more tries - Godwin and Sheriff - and conversions gave them an unassailable twenty point lead.

Two further tries, Pryce and Thackeray, in the final minutes gave Dewsbury a somewhat flattering scoreline given the balance of play.