Smarting rivals go head to head
TWO sides licking their wounds after disappointing Challenge Cup defeats will go head-to-head at Trailfinders Sports Club tomorrow, as Rochdale Hornets visit London Broncos.
Both were dumped out by League One opposition, as the Hornets fell to York City Knights at Bootham Crescent to continue their barren run against James Ford’s men.
It’s now five straight losses against the Knights as they were on the wrong end of a 26-20 score line to end their involvement in the competition at the fourth round stage.
Hornets found themselves 14-0 down early on as their poor handling was punished. They fought their way level in the second period, before the hosts struck seven minutes from time to complete a well-deserved victory.
The Broncos entertained Toronto Wolfpack on Friday evening and were also beaten as Jarrod Sammut’s missed conversions were the difference in a 30-26 loss.
Both sides also failed to pick up a win in their last league outing, as Rochdale managed to snatch a point with two late tries in a dramatic derby with Oldham which ended 26-26.
The Broncos were beaten by Halifax 19-6, but remain a single point above their opponents in fourth place in the Championship table.
The Hornets have a perfect record away from home in the league so far this season, as they have picked up the scalps of Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers.
It will be a tough task to continue that run when they visit the capital though, as they take on a side who made The Qualifiers last year and were only denied a place in the Million Pound Game by points difference.
The one and only meeting of these two sides came way back in 1983, as the then Fulham RLFC picked up a 24-4 win in the Challenge Cup at Spotland.
Alan Kilshaw will be without Jack Holmes, as the utility back picked up a foot injury in their defeat to York, meaning that he will have to reshuffle his back line.
Gary Middlehurst is set to return after being rested for the cup tie last weekend, while Jono Smith will make his first league appearance since the promotion final triumph in France.
The Hornets back rower featured against the Knights in his first hit-out of 2017 after serving a suspension and will be in line to start again as Hornets travel to Ealing.
Meanwhile, prop forward Jack Francis has joined North Wales Crusaders on a month long loan deal as he goes in search of regular game time.
The 24-year-old joined
‘Jack still has a big part to play at Hornets this season’
the club at the start of the 2016 season after a short spell with Coventry Bears but was hampered by a knee injury, although he did make the trip to France for their Promotion Final win as 19th man.
He made his first appearance of this year off the bench away to Featherstone Rovers where Rochdale claimed a 10-9 victory, and was also an interchange in their disappointing Challenge Cup defeat to York City Knights.
Head coach Kilshaw has been impressed with Francis in the off-season and still feels he has a big part to play in their 2017 campaign upon his return.
“Jack had a really good pre-season but has fallen behind the other players in his position and needs a regular run of games,” he said.
“Going to Crusaders will give him that opportunity and will benefit both parties.
“Jack still has a big part to play at the Hornets this season and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes, and he will come back match conditioned.”
The initial deal is a month long loan although there is a clause which allows Rochdale to call their player back early if he is needed.