Rovers rout struggling Hornets side
IT was another extremely disappointing day for Rochdale Hornets after they suffered an emphatic defeat against Featherstone Rovers.
The hosts were dominant throughout the match, with Hornets unable to compete as they were easily brushed aside at Post Office Road.
It didn’t take Featherstone long to take the lead, with James Lockwood touching down under the sticks on six minutes, before Ian Hardman added the conversion.
Walton got the second try soon afterwards, with Brad Dwyer then getting in on the act and scoring one of his own. Hardman converted both.
Dwyer was heavily involved during the next few minutes, as he touched down for his second try moments later before then completing a quick fire hat-trick by burrowing his way over on the half hour mark to pile more misery onto Hornets.
It didn’t get any easier for Alan Kilshaw’s side, with Lockwood scoring again on 34 minutes. Featherstone couldn’t take full advantage as the usually accurate Hardman couldn’t add the extras.
Featherstone ended the half in the same dominant fashion they had displayed so far, with Brad Knowles crossing for another try, while Dwyer kept up his prolific performance by getting his fourth try of the game. Hardman converted both to make it an emphatic 44-0 at half-time.
There was finally something for Hornets to cheer after the interval, after Rob Massam crossed in the corner to get his team’s first points on the board and make sure they avoided the whitewash.
Hornets couldn’t keep out Featherstone for long though, and they soon picked up where they left off in the first half.
Lockwood followed in the footsteps of Dwyer by completing his hat-trick of tries.
Dwyer ensured he wouldn’t be matched, as he then got his fifth of the game, before following that up with his sixth to complete a double hat-trick of tries. Hardman was able to convert both.
Featherstone were just as dominant in the final 10 minutes, with three further tries coming to make the final score 80-4.
The defeat means Featherstone stay in third place, while Hornets remain rock bottom of the Betfred Championship table after losing 16 of their 19 games so far this season.
They are also now two points behind second bottom Swinton Lions.
It’s Swinton who Hornets play next, with the crunch game between the two strugglers taking place at the Crown Oil Arena next Sunday.