Hornets look to
TO round off the penultimate month of the first stage of the season, Rochdale Hornets welcome Batley Bulldogs to the Crown Oil Arena hoping to right some wrongs after their defeat in the reverse fixture.
With a quarter of the game to play Rochdale led 36-12 and looked to be on their way to a brilliant victory at the Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, only for the game to slip through their fingers in a dramatic ending to the contest.
As the home side mounted a comeback, Matty Hadden was sinbinned for a professional foul eight minutes from time, a period in which Batley crossed twice.
After communicating with the referee’s coach in the week following the game, Alan Kilshaw was told the decision was wrong and that the Irish front rower shouldn’t even have been penalised!
Then, the game winning try looked to have come from a knock-on which the official on the day didn’t award, as Tom Lillycrop crossed for a late winner to steal a 38-34 victory for his side.
It was a bitter pill for the playing and coaching staff to swallow as they felt they should have returned home with two points.
So when the two meet again in Round 19 it presents the perfect opportunity to put that right.
Rochdale go into the game off the back of a victory over Bradford Bulls, as they completed a league double over their opponents to record only their second home win of the campaign.
They had trailed 12-0, but the bulldozing Joe Taira came off the bench to crash over for a double to take them within two points at the break.
They then kept their opponents scoreless in the second period, as tries from Lewis Galbraith and Matty Hadden, complimented by six goals from Danny Yates rounded off a 28-14 triumph.
It was a brilliant defensive effort as they repelled wave after wave of attacks from the visitors, and Alan Kilshaw was delighted with the character shown as they fought back from behind to claim the two points.
Batley enjoyed a comprehensive 70-12 win over Sheffield Eagles and will be brimming with confidence as they head to the Crown Oil Arena.
It was a win which kept them five points clear of the Hornets and moved them above Mark Ashton’s side into sixth place, consolidating their place inside the top eight.
Rochdale captain Lewis Palfrey, fullback Miles Greenwood and wide man Chris Riley all missed the previous game but will be looking to return to the fold when they welcome the Bulldogs.
Anthony Walker made his debut after completing a move from Wakefield Trinity but picked up a hamstring injury which is likely to sideline him for one week.