Report: Rochdale Hornets 20-16 North Wales Crusaders

Rochdale Hornets made it four wins in a row and moved themselves up to fourth place in the Betfred League 1 table with a nervy but character-defining 20-16 win over league leaders North Wales Crusaders.

Having picked up wins against Newcastle Thunder, Goole Vikings and Whitehaven in recent weeks, Gary Thornton’s side were looking to keep up their momentum heading into the business end of the season, against one of this season’s stand-out performers in the division. 

In-form centre Tom Ashton opened the scoring with 10 minutes gone after Dan Nixon ran 40m up-field following an interception. The ball found its way quickly to the waiting Ashton, who strolled over. 

The Hornets’ kicking game continued to threaten North Wales, and winger Luke Forber was next to score before the half-hour, walking through the visitors’ defence with ease.  

With 30 minutes gone, the visitors hit back as Sam Wilde powered his way over. 

The Hornets responded well heading towards the end of the first half, forcing the Welsh side into two more goal-line drop-outs in four sets.

They started the second half in the ascendency too, with Forber once again finding his way over to make it 14-4.

With 20 minutes to go, front-rower Dylan Kelly-Duffy powered his way over the whitewash to make it 18-4, with Max Flanagan adding the extras to put some breathing space between the two teams.

And not even two late consolation tries in the final quarter could spoil the Hornets’ day as they withstood the late fightback from North Wales to claim a major scalp in their pursuit of a top-four finish. 

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Nixon, Darbyshire, Ashton, Forber, Flanagan, Else, Killan, Whitmore, Nelmes, Kelly-Duffy, Simpson, Whittel. Subs: Punchard, Reid, Andrade, McKler. 

Tries: Ashton, Forber (2), Kelly-Duffy

Goals: Flanagan (2)

North Wales Crusaders: Roby, Spedding, Reid, Taylor, Holmes, Gibson, Hughes, Houghton, Eaves, Barratt, Wilde, Oakley, Davies. Subs: Baldwin, Walker, Jones, Costello.

Tries: Wilde, Spedding, Taylor

Goals: Gibson (2)