Calland: “We need to be tougher in defence”

Hornets Head Coach, Matt Calland, has demanded more physical toughness from his team after a shaky second half performance almost saw them surrender a 24-point lead - away at Midlands Hurricanes.

Rochdale had surged into an early lead, after four tries in the opening 13 minutes, but needed a 78^th-minute try to secure victory – after the hosts had pulled to within just two points.

Calland said: “We looked excellent in the first 20 minutes, we got off to a great start like we did the week before, but then we just took our foot off the gas.

“We started overplaying again, falling into our bad habits, too many penalties and too many errors. Then, they came back at us in the second half and it was touch-and-go at the end.

“I did think we deserved to win the game overall but we just can’t get that elusive 80-minute performance.”

A spirited Hurricanes side registered four second half tries, in a 31-minute period, and Calland knows that his team will have to show more defiance when they face local rivals Oldham – on Sunday.

He said: “We need to really work on being a bit tougher I think, in defence especially. We showed a poor attitude in defence at times.

“I thought they scored some really soft tries, which we’d talked about all week. So, it’s going to be a tough week again for the boys. We’ve got Oldham, a local derby, and they’ll be chomping at the bit.”

However, the former England international is relishing the prospect of a potential league double over Stuart Littler’s side – and is encouraged by the boost his squad has received from Hornets’ new signings.

He said: “I’m really pleased with how the new signings have done. This is what the future is, it’s the young players.

“They’ve shown loads of enthusiasm. I thought Kieran was class at nine, on Sunday, and O’Keefe showed touches of brilliance as well on the edge.

“So, I’m really looking forward to Oldham - it’s the biggest game of the year when we play them.

“Stuart Littler’s a good coach, he’ll have them well-prepared, and they gave us a really good game last time out.

“It’s going be a really tough encounter and it’s one we need to win.”