Hornets find home comforts

ROCHDALE are off the mark in the 2019 Betfred Championship after recording an impressive 20-8 home victory over Barrow.

The Raiders crossed for the first and last tries of game, but in between Hornets crossed for three unanswered tries.

Adam Lawton, on loan from Salford, scored the third of his temporary spell at the Crown Oil Arena to put Carl Forster’s side in

front at half time. A second-half four-pointer from Ben Moores was followed by a Dan Abram penalty and Liam Carberry score was enough to seal the victory.

Leigh became the latest to experience York’s strong showing on their return to the second tier, winding up on the wrong end of a 9-8 scoreline.

The scores were level at the break, Andy Thornley cancelling out the home side’s opener, but Martyn Ridyard’s penalty was all the Centurions could muster in the

second half. Swinton fell to a late 18-16 defeat away at Halifax.

The Lions raced into a 10-0 lead thanks to a Matty Ashton double, but despite a Mike Butt try in the second half, Stuart Littler’s side were defeated as Fax crossed for two converted tries in the final 10 minutes.

In League 1, Oldham staged a second-half comeback of their own to avoid a shock loss away at North Wales Crusaders. Roughyeds clinched the win thanks to a double from Luke Kershaw.