2024/25 season begins for the Hornets wheelchair team

The Rochdale Hornets wheelchair side finally got the 2024/25 championship season started on Saturday.

Hereford Harriers v Rochdale Hornets

22-06-2024

The Rochdale Hornets wheelchair side finally got the 2024-25 championship season started on Saturday.  After an extremely hard working and positive pre-season the players and management team are more than prepared for the challenges this year.

FIRST STOP…WALES!

Six players made the six hour round trip to Leominster, home of the Hereford Harriers.  12:30 was the kick off time, so it was an early alarm for everyone involved.  However, you wouldn’t have noticed any signs of tiredness from the Hornets team who started very strong against a well drilled, fast and physical Harriers side, who are one of the favourites to win the title the campaign.

The visitors actually struck first blow. Kyran Holt scoring on the left wing a to complete the teams very first attack, which Wes Groot converted impressively…6-0 Rochdale.  

The home side started to find their rhythm with the ball in hand.  Their re-tagging and offload speed created gaps in the Hornets defence.  Both teams played a physical game on defence, which meant the players often had to resort to kicking in order to gain those hard yards.  This tactic worked a dream for Rochdale, who on three occasions, managed to pin and tackle Hereford behind their own try line, resulting in the referee whistling for a drop goal, which meant the Hornets got possession back.  

The highlight of the first half, was a try from Rochdale’s very own Dutch Express, Wes Groot.  Who took the ball and found a gap he really had no business finding to get the ball down over the line.  Now, Wes is a big fella but his movement and bravery during that play, would’ve made Billy Elliot blush.   

 Both sides have already realised at this point, they were in a proper game.  The half time whistle goes… 28-18 Hereford. 

SECOND HALF

When it comes to team sport, the one thing all the great sides have…Is a solid defence.  

Rochdale might have started the first have strong but the second half didn’t quite play out that way.  During a tough 15 minute spell, the players struggled to keep their structure in defence, and Hereford were in the mood to capitalise on any weaknesses they could find.  They just kept on coming and delivered and onslaught of three tries and conversions to build a comfortable lead in front of a happy home support.  

The Hornets players managed to regroup, after a successful penalty conversion by Kyran Holt seemed to rally the troops back into battle.  The match seemed to become more physical midway through the second half.  Both sides determined to win every phase of the game.  Rochdale’s confidence started to grow again and this resulted in the Hornets winning four penalties in the second half alone. Their trusty number nine [Holt] was more than happy to punish Hereford’s mistakes.  Scoring another three tries and sealing the conversions, meaning Rochdale finished the match looking the stronger side.

The final whistle sounded and the scoreboard read 64-32 to the Hereford Harriers. 

 Anyone who was involved in that contest would admit that the score line didn’t reflect the game. In the end, the Harriers went out worthy winners against a much improved Rochdale Hornets side, who ‘simply would not go away.’

Yes it was a loss on game 1.  However, the Rochdale team played some cracking rugby at times and this was a true team performance, everyone played well.  They have no doubt sent a message out to the other teams this season, that they are an ambitious side, who can hurt teams and only get better as the season continues. 

Coach Pete Hird shared his thoughts after the game:

“I feel we have taken our strong pre-season preparation into the opening fixture and showed we are capable of competing.  Things we are working on in training are now beginning to show in games.”