Rochdale Hornets 15 - 16 Newcastle Thunder

Photo: Alpha Photography

Rochdale Hornets 15 - 16 Newcastle Thunder

15 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale Hornets had victory wrest from their grasp with just a minute to play in a a tense, tight game against a dogged Newcastle Thunder side at sun-soaked Spotland Stadium this afternoon (Sunday 26 April). A jubilant Thunder ending a run of seven defeats against Hornets stretching back to May 2011.

Hornets dominated the early exchanges and took the lead when Danny Bridge put Dale Bloomfield through, who in turn fed Danny Yates to score. Paul Crook converted.

Danny Bridge increased Hornets lead going over in the corner after Dale Bloomfield and Mike Ratu played basketball with a kick. Crook missed the conversion.

Thunder hit back just after the half hour, Lee Mapals over in the corner following an assist from Matty Marsh. The conversion attempt missed.

Hornets had a chance to add to their tally with a penalty just before half time but Crook missed with his kick.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 10 - 4 Newcastle Thunder

Hornets started the second half as they did the first, quickly on the offensive and within minutes of the restart Gaz Langley was on the end of a flowing move to score in the corner. Crook missed the extras.

Thunder refused to capitulate and a superb offload from Mark Mexico sent Jordan Meads in for a try. The conversion attempt missed.

It was a further 20 minutes before the score sheet was added to - Paul Crook slotting over a field goal for Hornets.

Again Thunder refused to lie down and hit back immediately with a try. A kick was collected by winger Joe Brown who scored to bring his team back within three points of Hornets. The kick again missed.

With just one minute to go Thunder 'stole' the points with a Dayne Craig try to take a one point lead. Despite the kick being missed, the try was enough to give the spoils to Thunder. 

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Dale Bloomfield, Lee Paterson, Mike Ratu, Gaz Langley, Ryan Smith, Danny Yates, Tony Suffolk, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, James Dandy,  Danny Bridge, Lews Charnock.
Replacements: Jack Ashworth, Dean Mignacca, Antony Walker, James Tilley.

Newcastle Thunder: Jordan Meads, Lee Mapals, Joe Brown, An Blair, Tom Capper, Matty Marsh, Matty Beharrel, Matty Barron, Charlie Ward, Mark Mexico, Dane Craig, Jason Payne, Rhys Clarke.
Replacements: Louis Sheriff, Evan Simons, Lee Fewlass, Fran Walsh.

Referee: Mr W Turley.