Hornets in with chance of survival after huge home victory

WITH one round of the Betfred Championship Shield remaining, Rochdale have given themselves real hope of survival with a 26-22 home win over the Dewsbury Rams.

Hornets have drawn level with Swinton on 10 points at the foot of the table, and although Alan Kilshaw’s side have a vastly inferior points difference – with the new structure meaning that only one team can possibly be relegated – Rochdale will guarantee their safety should they better the Lions’ result next weekend.

The loser would then play a League 1 side in a play-off to decide the final spot in next season’s Championship.

Rochdale trailed 10-0 inside the first 10 minutes against the Rams, but posted 26 unanswered points in a blistering 35-minute period either side of half time.

Seta Tala crossed for the home side’s first try before Deon Cross got two, and Dec Gregory and Lewis Hatton got one each.

Dewsbury scored twice late on to force an uneasy finish, but Hornets held on for the vital two points.

Swinton welcomed Shield leaders Featherstone to Heywood Road and led 18-12 after an hour thanks to tries from captain Andy Thornley, Robbie Gray and Craig Mullen, plus two Rob Fairclough penalties, but shipped 22 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes to finish up on the wrong end of a 34-18 scoreline.

Leigh also suffered a second-half collapse at home to Batley.

Having led 16-10 with half an hour remaining thanks to tries from Ricky Bailey, Jack Owens and Ben Reynolds, the Centurions were beaten 30-16 by the Bulldogs.

In League 1, Oldham recorded a 46-18 win away at London Skolars to keep themselves in the promotion hunt.

Tries from Paul Crook, Danny Langtree, Craig Briscoe, Kenny Hughes, Matt Reid and a Lee Kershaw hat-trick saw Roughyeds home.