Report: Midlands Hurricanes 22-20 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets fell to an agonising 22-20 defeat at the hands of Midlands Hurricanes in the latest round of Betfred League 1 action.

In a game which ebbed and flowed throughout at Alexander Stadium, the Hornets lost ground in the race for the top four, despite rallying from 16 points behind early in the second half. 

The Hornets were coming into the game after three weeks off following their last-gasp defeat in Keighley and were eager to avenge that loss against one of the top teams in the competition.

It was Midlands who had the better of the opening exchanges, but resolute defence from the Hornets kept the hosts at bay on a number of occasions in the first 20 minutes. 

The game opened up as the half progressed and became end-to-end. The visitors had fleeting moments in the Hurricanes half in the early stages and almost got over the line in their first real attack of the game, but couldn’t take advantage of their good field position after a repeat set. 

The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes with Ryan Johnson diving over in the corner to open the scoring after a sustained period of pressure on the Rochdale line. 

The game evolved into an arm wrestle, with both sides struggling to break the other down, although it was the home side who looked the more threatening.

Five minutes before the break, they were over again, Rochdale couldn’t deal with a high kick and Tom Wilkinson pounced on the loose ball to score underneath the sticks. Brad Billsborough added the extras to give his side a 10-0 lead at half-time.

The second half began with both sides posing a threat, the first of which came straight from the restart as a short kick-off from Gary Thornton’s side put them in a good position from which they couldn’t capitalise. 

Seven minutes into the second half and the home side extended their advantage as Matty Chrimes found his way to the line from close range after splitting the Rochdale defence.

Moments later, the Hornets got themselves on the scoreboard for the first time. Gregg McNally made the break and threw the ball inside to Dan Nixon, who in-turn found Lewis Else to finish under the sticks and give Jack Miller the easiest of conversions and crucially, give his side a foothold in the game.

Not long after, Luke Forber finished a well-worked move down the left-hand side, with Miller again adding the extras to make it a four-point ball game at 16-12.

The momentum had shifted in favour of the visitors now, and they started to pile the pressure on the Midlands defence. Nixon went close to levelling the scores but was denied by some superb last-ditch goal-line defending. 

With just under 15 minutes to go, Tom Ashton latched on to the end of a grubber kick and brought the scores level. Morgan Punchard couldn’t add the extras, leaving the scoreline poised at 16-16.  

A Rochdale error from the restart gifted possession to the home side, which allowed Ross Oakes to give his team the lead, with Billsborough adding the extras from bang in front.

Rochdale weren’t out of it yet though, and Dan Nixon’s acrobatic finish in the corner put them within two points once again. Crucially, Punchard couldn’t add the conversion.  

Brilliant goal-line defence from the Hornets denied what looked to be a certain Midlands try at the end of the game, before going down the other end of the pitch with a Hail Mary play as the final hooter sounded. McNally found Forber who hacked the ball forwards but the hosts were able to negate the danger and held on for the two points.

Another week off awaits for the Hornets before a trip to the north-east to face Newcastle Thunder.

After two narrow defeats in their last two games, Gary Thornton’s men will be looking to get another win under the belts as the push for a play-off place continues.

Midlands Hurricanes: Horner, Chrimes, Johnson, Oakes, Roberts, Billsborough, Medforth, Kirby, Roden, Morris, Willis, Wilkinson, Wood. Subs: Newboult, Silk, Kirk, Jordan-Roberts.

Tries: Johnson, Wilkinson, Chrimes, Oakes

Goals: Billsborough (3)

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Nixon, Darbyshire, Ashton, Forber, Miller, Else, Dayes, Whitmore, Nelmes, Forster, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Punchard, E. Simpson, Andrade, Killan.

Tries: Else, Forber, Ashton, Nixon

Goals: Miller (2)

Photo credit: Andy Shaw