Hornets suffer Cup exit shock
ROCHDALE Hornets were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by a well drilled York side at Bootham Crescent.
A plethora of handling errors and dumb penalties set the tone for Hornets.
The result makes it five defeats on the spin for Hornets against their York counterparts and the vocal travelling support were left disappointed.
Following the final whistle, Hornets head coach Alan Kilshaw eluded to a level of mental weakness and a sketchy refereeing performance as the lead to Hornets downfall.
The hosts raced into an 8-0 lead, scoring a converted try and knocking over a penalty before Hornets had a chance to touch the ball.
Sustained pressure pinned Hornets in their own half and forced a drop out, from the resulting barrage Lewis Galbraith was pulled for a high shot on his opposite number.
More smart play saw York trickle a kick into the in-goal and while the Hornets players were stood around thinking about what to do with it York pounced for an easy try which was converted.
Back to back penalties from the kick off left York in kickable range and they made it 8-0.
With 13 minutes on the clock Hornets got their first touch of the ball but it was only a matter of time until they would concede another penalty.
York took advantage of the field position and again a smart kick through resulted in a try. 14-0 and the visitors looked clueless.
It took what felt like an age for Hornets to get into the game and once they did, two quick fire tries looked as though they had crow-barred their way into the contest.
The first was good build up play that saw Palfrey kick through on the last and Miles Greenwood pounced on it.
Palfrey converted make it 14-6.
Moments later a towering bomb from Palfrey and Joe Taira hot on the heels in chase saw the York defence stunned and the ball bounced through for Chris Riley to touch down.
Palfrey converted and it looked as though Hornets had found a way into the contest until they conceded yet another penalty and the York battering ram attack saw them eventually cross to make it 20-12 on the half time hooter.
Hornets started the second half with intent and a smart kick off saw the York man fumble the kick off dead. From the resulting drop out, Hornets pushed forward and Joe Taira finally busted the York line but he was penalised for double movement.
When Hornets finally begun building momentum they were dragged back for a forward pass which looked to have killed their attack but York were pulled for the same and from the resulting scrum the ball was fed to Galbraith who found a way around the York winger to feed Rob Massam to who strolled in for a try. Palfrey failed to convert and the score was 20-16.
Hornets then started to turn the screw and again from the scrum the ball found Chris Riley on the wing who touched down but left Palfrey with a difficult kick leaving the score level at 20-20.
York, who were scoreless in the second half still met Hornets with the same robust defence and expansive attack and with seven minutes left on the clock they struck to punish Hornets for their lack of composure, dire execution and downright atrocious handling as they benefitted from a knock on to crash over and seal a 26-20 win.
Hornets were second best all afternoon with York more than deserved winners.
Kilshaw’s men have to go away this week and have a long, hard look at themselves before the small matter of London Broncos away next Sunday.
Liam Harris, Ben Dent, Nev Morrison, James Haynes, Tommy Saxton, Jonny Presley, Harry Tyson-Wilson, Ronan Dixon, Andy Ellis, Adam Robinson, Joe Batchelor, Ed Smith, Tim Spears, Harry Carter, Bobby Tyson-Wilson, Kieran Moran, Joe Porter
Miles Greenwood, Chris Riley, Jack Holmes, Lewis Galbraith, Rob Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Samir Tahraoui, Ben Moores, Gavin Bennion, Jono Smith, Josh Crowley, Jordan Case, Ryan Maneely, Joe Taira, Matty Hadden, Jack Francis