Turnaround sees Raiders halt Hornets

ROCHDALE Hornets suffered a defeat in their first Championship Shield match after coming up short away from home against Barrow Raiders.

Hornets led for a large period of the match, but Barrow turned things around and were dominant in the final 20 minutes, meaning they condemned Alan Kilshaw’s men to a defeat at Craven Park. The result sees Hornets remain bottom of the table and they are now six points from safety.

Hornets took the lead in the game after 15 minutes when Morgan Smith scored a penalty for the visitors to get their first points on the board.

It got even better for Kilshaw’s side just before the half hour mark when Smith added another penalty to double his side’s lead and make it 4-0.

That’s how it remained at the interval, with Hornets heading into the second half at Craven Park with a narrow advantage.

It remained that way until the 65 minute mark when Barrow eventually got the opening try of the match. Jono Smith forced his way over the line from close range to score against his former side, with Jamie Dallimore then adding the conversion to put Barrow in the lead.

Dallimore was then involved again a few minutes later, successfully kicking a penalty between the sticks to increase his side’s lead and make it 8-4.

Yet another penalty from Dallimore soon followed, and Barrow then seemingly put the match beyond doubt when Alec Susino touched down for another try in the closing stages, with Dallimore converting.

Hornets ensured they had the final say when Deon Cross scored on the hooter to give the visitors their only try of the match, but it wasn’t to be as Barrow ran out 17-10 winners in the end and Rochdale left Craven Park empty-handed.