Report: Rochdale Hornets 16-34 Widnes Vikings

Rochdale Hornets got their 2025 campaign underway on Sunday in the Betfred Challenge Cup, falling to a battling 34-16 defeat to Betfred Championship side Widnes Vikings at the Crown Oil Arena.

Having had a close encounter midweek against local rivals Oldham in the Law Cup, the Hornets were looking to put in a good performance in their first competitive hit-out of the year. 

However, a 16-0 deficit at half-time left Gary Thornton's side with too much work to do, despite a positive start to the second half which saw them move to within four points.

The opening 10 minutes were a cagey affair, with neither side threatening to score.

However, it was the visitors who drew first blood when Danny Langtree crashed over from close range in the 11th minute, with half-back Tom Gilmore adding the extras. 

The Hornets repelled more Vikings pressure with some fine defence in their own defensive quarter, but eventually the weight of possession told as Joe Edge latched onto an in-goal kick to make it 10-0, with Gilmore again adding the two.

Goal-line pressure continued to be put on the hosts, with Rhys Williams dashing over in the corner after 31 minutes to ensure the Vikings had a solid grip on the game as the half-time hooter sounded. 

Being on the wrong end of a 16-0 deficit, the Hornets came out all guns blazing in the second 40, scoring twice in the space of five minutes.

The first of which saw former Widnes youngster Lewis Else take a nice offload from Myles Harrop and storm towards the visitors’ 20m line before a supporting McNally received possession to race over unopposed. 

Debutant Ben Will scored the Hornets’ second of the afternoon with a stroll-in try after a cut-out pass found him on the right-hand side. 

Momentum changed and swung back in the Vikings’ favour, however, with Williams strolling in down the left to make it 22-12.

Lewis Hall and Rhodri Lloyd added two quickfire tries in the 68th and 71st minute to all but seal the match. 

But Gary Thornton’s side kept their heads up, with fan favourite and last season’s top scorer Luke Forber finishing acrobatically in the corner to grab a late consolation as the Hornets had the final say. 

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Will, Flanagan, Harrop, Forber, Ridyard, Else, Johnson , Burton, Nelmes, Baker, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Punchard, Killan, Dayes, Andrade, O’Donnell. 

Tries: McNally, Will, Forber

Goals: Ridyard 2/3

Widnes Vikings: Owens, Williams, Fleming, Edge, Butt, Patton, Gilmore, Murray, Fozard, Reilly, Lloyd, Langtree, Lannon. Subs: Doolan, Kirk, Hall, Bennion 

Tries: Langtree, Edge, Williams 2, Hall, Lloyd

Goals: Gilmore 5/6

Photo credit: Craig Irvine Photography