South Wales Scorpions 10 - 64 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Alpha Photography

Wayne English made his 350th appearance in the professional game against South Wales Scorpions

Hat-tricks from Paul Crook and Danny Yates helped Rochdale Hornets to an emphatic victory against South Wales Scorpions.

Back in action after a week's enforced rest, prior to the game Hornets' coach Ian Talbot was worried the break may have come at the wrong time, saying: "We were hitting a little bit of form and getting a little bit of continuity in our performances so to have that broken didn’t quite come at the right time", but he needn't have worried, Hornets were quickly back into the groove.

The opening try of the game came within minutes of the start, Warren Thompson running all of 50 metres to set up Paul Crook, who converted his own try.

Scorpions pressed hard and pinned Hornets in their own half for most of the next twenty minutes but against the run of play, Hornets broke up field and Danny Yates crossed the line. Crook missed the conversion.

Yates added his second, and Hornets' third, try after a great passing move. Jordan Case converted.

Scorpions refused to let their heads drop and opened their account when Yannic Parker scored in the corner. Paul Emanuelli missed the difficult kick.

With half time approaching, Hornets extended their lead with a blind side move that gave Danny Bridge the opportunity to crash his way over the whitewash. The conversion attempt missed.

Half time: South Wales Scorpions 4 - 20 Rochdale Hornets

Hornets were very quickly out of the traps at the start of the second half, fast hands allowing Danny Bridge in the corner for his second try just two minutes after the restart. Case missed the conversion.

Hornets captain Wayne English, making his 350th appearance in the professional game, chased a kick and dived on the ball to score. Case added the extras.

The game as a contest was already over when Brad Hargreaves got on the end of a sweeping Hornets move to score by the corner flag. Case missed the difficult kick.

Lee Paterson heaped on the pain for Scorpions. A flowing move seeing Paterson in under the posts. Danny Yates converted.

Credit to Scorpions, despite Hornets threatening to run riot, they got on the score sheet again following a Hornets knock on; Kyle Scrivens in under the posts from the resulting scrum. Paul Emanuelli converted.

From one end to the other as Hornets immediately hit back; a scrum and set play finished off by Crook, his second try of the game. Danny Yates converting.

Crook completed his hat-trick following a big break up the middle by Warren Thompson, which Crook converted himself.

Hornets were in complete command and a passing move that spanned the entire length of the field resulted in Danny Yates going under the posts to complete his hat-trick. Crook added the extras.

Wayne English completed the try scoring as he chalked up another milestone when he scored his 150th try as a professional. Crook converted. 

The result sees Hornets topping the League One table.

South Wales Scorpions: Ian Newbury, Paul Edwards, Zac Williams, Johnny Leather, Yannic Parker, Curtis Davies, Paul Emanuelli, Neil Dallimore, Connor Farrer, Tom Morgan, Bradley Hill, Kyle Scrivens, Connor Davies, Osian Phillips, Dafydd Hellard, Anthony Symons, Tala Petelo.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Brad Hargreaves, Lee Paterson, Alex Trumper, Dale Bloomfield, Ryan Smith, Danny Yates, Anthony Walker, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, Jordan Case, Danny Bridge, Tony Suffolk, Alex McClurg, Matty Hadden, Jordan Hand, James Tilley.

Referee: Jack Smith