Report: Dewsbury Rams 18-32 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets recorded their first win over Dewsbury Rams in almost seven years as they put in another defining performance to come away with a 32-18 win at FLAIR Stadium.

The home side hit the front in the 15th minute when Tom Delaney took a cross-field kick from veteran Paul Sykes to touch down, with Jacob Hookem adding the extra two points on offer. 

The Hornets soon hit back with a replica of their opponents’ opening score, with a kick from Morgan Punchard finding Dan Nixon on the flank, and he spun on the spot to ground the ball in the corner to make it 6-4. 

Over the next 10 minutes, the game entered a gritty period, with multiple infringements by both sides resulting in a slow speed of play. 

But it would be Gary Thornton’s side who did eventually hit the front. A loose carry was caught by Dan Nixon, who sprinted 80m downfield to dive under the sticks.

With half-time approaching, the gap between the two sides increased as the Hornets created numbers, resulting in Lewis Else dancing his way through the Rams defence to touch down in the corner.

Punchard slotted over the conversion to make it 16-6 as the hooter sounded.

As soon as the second half was underway, points were posted. Following a knock-on from kick-off, the Rams created pressure and Keenan Tomlinson forced himself over the line from close range.

That brought Dewsbury back to within four, but the Hornets once again hit back swiftly. 

With the Rams knocking on, the Hornets were quick with their hands and got the ball out wide to Luke Forber, who had enough space to get himself over the whitewash and move the Hornets 20-12 ahead.

Flare then started to be shown by the Hornets as a 20/40 kick from Gregg McNally gave them prime position on the pitch. 

They turned field position into points as Jaden Dayes planted the ball down to increase the Hornets’ advantage, with Punchard adding a further two. 

Dewsbury didn’t give up and hit back almost instantly, with Jack McShane getting on the scoresheet.

But Dec O’Donnell sealed the two points on offer for the Hornets with four minutes remaining, darting over from close range to wrap up an impressive victory on the road - and their first against the Rams since September 2018.

Dewsbury Rams: Craig McShane, Delaney, Jordan, Senior, Sykes, Hookem, Walker, Jack McShane, Gill, Tomlinson, Garside, Tomlinson. Subs: Day, Briggs, Mearns, Field.

Tries: Delaney, Tomlinson, McShane

Goals: Hookem (3)

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Nixon, Harrop, Ashton, Forber, Punchard, Else, Simpson, O’Donnell, Nelmes, Dayes, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Burton, Newton, Andrade, Meadows.

Tries: Nixon (2), Else, Forber, Dates, O’Donnell

Goals: Punchard (4)