Report: Workington Town 36-4 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets fell to a disappointing 36-4 defeat at Workington Town in their final away fixture of the Betfred League 1 season.

Head coach Gary Thornton was handed the luxury of being able to name an unchanged starting line-up from last Sunday's battling derby day loss at Swinton Lions for the long trip north as his side looked to consolidate fourth place in the table.

In typical blustery conditions at the Fibrus Community Stadium, it was the hosts who struck first after Dan Nixon was unable to claim a horrible, bobbled kick through. Off the back of the scrum, Stevie Scholey powered through to score.

Workington, buoyed by their fast start, scored two tries in three first-half minutes soon after.

Lennon Clarke scored the hosts’ second of the afternoon following a break by Levi Atiga, before Callum Phillips finished off a free-flowing Workington move. Carter only managed to convert the second try, leaving the hosts with a 16-0 lead in as many minutes.

Workington weren’t satisfied with their rapid start, and they pressed home their advantage even further after 21 minutes when Mason Lewthwaite went over following a scrum. 

Five minutes later, the hosts had another. Rio Corkill strolled over in the corner as his side were running riot up in Cumbria. 

With four minutes of the half to go, after seemingly composing themselves following the horror start, the Hornets were again hit on the counter as Zarrin Galea picked up an early kick through to go over under the sticks. Carter converted, giving the home side a commanding 32-0 lead at the break.

Needing a huge response in the second half, the Hornets started positively, having sustained pressure on the Workington line but not quite being able to break through due to a combination of superb Workington defence and sloppy play on the last tackle.

Having pushed and probed at the Workington line throughout the second half, the Hornets finally had their reward on the hour mark. 

Dan Nixon expertly claimed a high Martyn Ridyard kick before placing down in the corner. 

The Hornets carried on battling away, but it was looking like one of those days for Gary Thornton’s side as nothing they tried seemed to work and Workington defended stoutly, much to the delight of the home faithful.

Right on the hooter, Workington compounded the Hornets’ misery as Dom Wear snuck over down the right edge. 

Workington Town: Galea, Eccleston, Clarke, Corkill, Atiga, Wear, Carter, Ainley, Phillips, Farrer, Clark, Lewthwaite, Scholey. Subs: Doran, Castle, Graham, Stevenson.

Tries: Scholey, Clarke, Phillips, Lewthwaite, Corkill, Galea, Wear

Goals: Carter (4)

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Nixon, Flanagan, Ashton, Forber, Ridyard, Else, Mckler, Whitmore, Killan, D.Simpson, Kelly-Duffy, Whittel. Subs: Punchard, Reid, Andrade. E.Simpson.

Tries: Nixon

Goals:

Photo credit: Ben Challis