Report: Rochdale Hornets 8-7 Swinton Lions

Rochdale Hornets returned to winning ways with a 8-7 Good Friday win over Swinton Lions.

Having been defeated by Workington in their last outing, Gary Thornton's side were looking to make moves and put in a character-defining performance after recent setbacks. 

It took 14 minutes for the Hornets to get on the scoresheet. When they applied pressure to Swinton's goal-line defence, it eventually told as Elijah Simpson crashed over from short range, with Max Flanagan kicking the extra two points.

Swinton soon hit back though, when Ellis Anderson found the try line, with Reece Briers kicking the two on offer.

The remainder of the first half was tense, with Briers kicking a drop-goal as the hooter sounded to give the Lions a slender one-point lead at the break.

They often say defence wins games, and the second half certainly showed that, with the Hornets defending multiple repeats sets to stop the Lions' advance.

A potentially defining moment came in the 53^rd minute when Jaden Dayes was sent off for a high tackle.

Still, the Hornets regrouped and took the lead on the hour mark when Morgan Punchard converted a penalty from in front of the sticks to make it 8-7. 

This ended up being the last points of the game, as the Hornets defence stood firm to hang onto a crucial two competition points.

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

Swinton Lions: Roberts, Higham, Anderson, Lynch, Sergent, Paga, Briers, Sidlaw, Porter, Sinclair, Rodden, Cox, Baker. INTERCHANGES: Roby, Brown, Beardsworth, Shingler.