Report: Rochdale Hornets 64-12 Cornwall

Rochdale Hornets comprehensively beat Cornwall in the 1895 Cup on Saturday, running in 12 tries to set up a meeting with Swinton Lions in the next round.

The fixture, which took place at neighbours Rochdale Mayfield, saw the Hornets pick up their first win of the season after a battling defeat against Betfred Championship side Widnes Vikings the week prior. 

Former Cornwall outside back Tom Ashton scored four tries against his former club, while there were also hat-tricks for Max Flanagan and Lameck Juma as the Hornets ran riot at Mayfield Sports Centre.

Gary Thornton’s side flew out of the blocks and struck first after only three minutes through the impressive Flanagan. Luke Nelmes made good ground up the middle before the ball went through the hands on the last tackle to release Flanagan, who crossed down the right. 

Four minutes later, the Hornets were in again. A flowing passing move ended with Juma dancing his way around a shell-shocked Cornwall defence to score, and Flanagan added the extras to make it 12-0.

With Lewis Else pulling the strings from half-back, the Hornets struck again after 14 minutes. Dec O’Donnell slid a peach of a pass through for Deane Meadows to crash over. 

At the halfway point of the first half, try number four arrived as Juma grabbed his second of the game after some brilliant work from Cornwall old-boy Ashton. The experienced outside back rampaged through the tackles before finding Juma on his left with a wonderful offload to score.

Flanagan helped himself to another a matter of minutes after the restart. Lewis Hollidge released an inch-perfect pass through to Flanagan to burst through the visitors’ defensive line to score, and he converted his own try to extend the lead to 28 points.

Right on the half-time hooter, Ashton struck. He showed great strength to plough his way through a number of defenders to touch down, making it 32-0 at the break. 

Straight from kick-off in the second half, normal service was resumed as Ashton helped himself to a second as he danced through the ailing Cornwall defence to score. 

Ashton haunted his former employers further six minutes later, as he completed his hat-trick. The try was identical to his previous efforts as he powered over down a potent left edge. 

Ashton continued to do what he does best by scoring tries - his fourth of the afternoon - four minutes later, as he flew down the left edge again to cross. 

Cornwall seemed to finally take the shackles off 60 minutes into the contest as they bagged two tries in four minutes. Harry Aaronson struck first, intercepting an ambitious Hornets pass before racing 70m to score. 

This was quickly followed by Callum Abbott crossing after collecting a superb Adam Rusling kick. Both tries were converted, making it 46-12.

The Hornets set about ending the game with a flourish with 10 minutes remaining. Juma helped himself to his hat-trick and brought up the half-century with a cracking finish down the right.

Flanagan later grabbed his hat-trick with a superb try, after the Hornets displaying some champagne rugby league. 

And with the last play of the game, the Hornets added the cherry on top of a brilliant performance. Flanagan made a superb break from the back and found Gregg McNally in support to dive over and close out the afternoon in style. 

A professional performance it was from the Hornets, who had a job to do and did it well. 

They now move into the next round of the 1895 Cup, where they will face Swinton in two weeks time. 

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Juma, Flanagan, Ashton, Nixon, Hollidge, Else, Taira, O’Donnell, Nelmes, Meadows, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Burton, Dayes, Baker, Brannan.

Tries: Flanagan 3, Ashton 4, Juma 3, McNally, Meadows

Goals: Flanagan 8/12

Cornwall: Llewelyn, Symons, Trerise, Aaronson, Abbott, Lloyd, Rusling, Boots, Leney, Rhodes, Weetman, Simpson, Jenkins. Subs: Conroy, McConnell, Simpson, Cumming.

Tries: Aaronson, Abbott

Goals: Rusling 2/2

Report by Thomas Pearson

Photo credit: Jackie Meredith