Defiant Hornets triumph over Oldham in Elimination Play-Off

Rochdale Hornets kept their promotion hopes alive by beating local rivals Oldham 38-24, in the Betfred League 1 Elimination Play-Off.

Hornets trailed on three separate occasions but four second half tries in the space of 13 minutes was enough to secure a third straight win, over their nearest neighbours.

After a crucial win over Hunslet last time out, Stuart Littler’s side were unsurprisingly quick out of the blocks with Joe Hartley scoring the game’s first try - on five minutes - after a smart break down the left edge.

But Hornets responded well to going behind and, before long, second row Ben Forster had muscled his way over the try line.

Gary Thornton’s side grew in confidence off the back of this and would take a well-deserved lead some ten minutes later.

Forster looked to have scored his second try, before the Oldham defence intervened, but a quick play the ball gave Gavin Bennion space to dive over the whitewash.

However the lead didn’t last long as Hartley raced in for his second try, after 28 minutes, thanks to another sharp break to breach the Hornets defensive line.

With the game clearly going to be one of fine margins, the visitors then opted for a shot at goal when Rochdale’s Joe Taira was penalised for a high tackle.

Martin Ridyard would comfortably slot the kick from 45 metres to move his side into a 12-10 lead.

That had looked set to be the half time score line, but another try for in-form Cian Tyrer – with the final play of the half – would give the hosts a narrow lead at the break.

In the opening exchanges of the second 40, Oldham would again opt to kick at goal when Hornets were penalised with Ridyard slotting a straightforward two-pointer.

Littler’s side would then get themselves back in front after Owen Restall capitalised on a fortunate bounce to score on the left wing.

But the Elimination Play-Off continued to ebb and flow and, moments later, captain Gregg McNally would skip through the Roughyeds defence to score a superb individual try.

Then, some quick thinking from Connor Aspey - at dummy half – would see the Salford loanee dive over and score Hornets’ fifth try.

Thornton’s side would extend their lead four minutes later with the ever-dangerous Rangi Chase breaking brilliantly to make it four tries in his last two outings, against Oldham.

Bennion would then double his tally for the afternoon to further strengthen Rochdale’s grip on the game, with the prop forward breaking away powerfully to run in from 20 metres.

Hornets managed the closing stages of the match well to prevent any chance of a comeback and as a result, tempers began to flare in the Oldham ranks.

Two minutes from time, Callum Cameron was yellow carded for an off-the-ball challenge but would then see it upgraded to a red after sparking a huge altercation between the two teams - with Fuifui Moimoi also seeing yellow for his role in proceedings.

Tyrer would slot the penalty Hornets were awarded as a result of Cameron’s ill-discipline, before Kian Morgan ran in a consolation try for the visitors with the final act of the game.

The victory means that Hornets will now travel to North Wales Crusaders on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off), after their 26-12 defeat to Doncaster in the Qualifying Play-Off.

Hornets: McNally, Nixon, Brewin, Hitchcox, Tyrer, Chase, Rush; Moimoi, Roden, Bennion, Calland, Forster, Killan

Interchanges: Taira, Aspey, Thomas, Whitehead

Tries: Forster (11’), Bennion (21’, 67’), Tyrer (40’), McNally (54’), Aspey (59’), Chase (63’)

Goals: Tyrer, 5/8

Oldham: Morgan, Cooke, Hartley, Wellington, Restall, Ridyard, Hewitt; Nelmes, Butterworth, Spencer, Field, Cameron, Whittel.

Interchanges: Thornton, Coventry, Newton, Yarrow.

Tries: Hartley (5’, 28’), Restall (50’), Morgan (79’)

Goals: Ridyard, 4/6

Half time: 14-12

Referee: Aaron Moore

Image by JMSportPix