Hornets heavily beaten by Rams
BCYHRAAMMPPIOANSTHRIAPMS Kelly continues at The Tetley’s Stadium.
There was some disruption to the Hornets line-up ahead of kick-off, as Dec Kay was a late omission with a back injury, leading to Jack Holmes stepping up from 18th man.
They also lost Jo Taira in the first half, but it was later revealed that his failure to re-emerge for the second period was a precaution.
It wasn’t the start to the Championship Shield that Rochdale would have wanted, as they look to distance themselves from the chasing pack at the bottom and claw their way into the top four.
As a collective they struggled to match their opponents, and will need to improve ahead of the visit of Batley Bulldogs next up.
The afternoon started badly, as James Glover benefitted from a clever pass from Paul Sykes just five minutes in, and within four more minutes Gareth Potts crossed in the corner with the assist coming from the same Rams player.
The bounce of the ball beat Chris Riley for the next effort, as Gareth Moore’s kick fell kindly for the chasing Macauley Hallett, making it 14-0.
Hornets finally got off the mark 27 minutes in when Jono Smith, one of few players who impressed, showed great footwork to dummy over from close range.
A dummy half try in response for Sam Day left Kilshaw displeased, before a touch of fortune led to Potts crossing from a wayward Josh Guzdek pass which found its way to the winger.
Straight from the kick off Glover had his second, racing away from his own 30 metre line to make it 28-4 at the break.Within two minutes of the restart Potts completed his hattrick, strolling over in plenty of space on the right edge. Another troubling kick then favoured the home side, as Guzdek outraced Holmes to the ball after it had bounced off the post protector and into his path, with the fullback making it 36-4.
After regathering a short kick off Rochdale grabbed a consolation with 15 minutes left on the clock, as the ball deflected off Holmes’ boot and into Riley’s grasp, as he dove over in the corner.
Three tries in the final seven minutes completed the rout, as Potts added a fourth, Day breached the line from dummy half again and Moore kicked over the top for Glover to complete his hat-trick.
The hooter sounded soon after the last try of the game and Rochdale were heavily beaten 56-8, and will be looking for a huge response when they take on Batley in round two of the Shield.
Josh Guzdek, Dale Morton, James Glover, Macauley Hallett, Gareth Potts, Paul Sykes, Gareth Moore, Toby Everett, Robbie Ward, Jack Teanby, Michael Knowles, Rob Spicer, Aaron Brown. Subs: Sam Day, Mickael Goudemand, Toby Adamson, Jode Sheriffe
Glover (5, 37, 78), Potts (9, 36, 42, 73), Hallett (18), Day (32, 77), Guzdek (62)
Sykes 6/11
Chris Riley, Kevin Penny, Jake Eccleston, Lewis Galbraith, Jack Holmes, Lewis Foster, Danny Yates, Lee Mitchell, Ryan Maneely, Jo Taira, Jono Smith, Josh Crowley, Ant Walker. Subs: Jordan Case, Gavin Bennion, Matty Hadden, Lewis Hatton Smith (27), Riley (65)
Yates 0/2