Report: Rochdale Hornets 24-34 Workington Town

Rochdale fell to a disappointing 34-24 home defeat to Workington Town as their Betfred League 1 campaign suffered another early setback.

Despite the scoreline, it was a game that lacked the flair that the Hornets have shown in recent weeks.

Gary Thornton’s hosts got off to the perfect start, with Emmerson Whittel taking advantage of an infringement by Workington and powering over from close range inside the opening 10 minutes.

Max Flanagan, who added the conversion to make it 6-0, then went from kicker to try-scorer not long after, latching onto a pass and going over after quick hands.

The visitors soon hit back and took the lead thanks to back-to-back tries from Jake Bradley.

It wasn’t just a brace for Bradley, as three minutes later in the 36th minute, Flanagan found the try line once more after space was made.

With Flanagan converting his own try, the Hornets held a 16-12 lead as the half-time hooter sounded.

It took just four second-half minutes for the visiting Town supporters to have something to cheer about, with Jamie Doran bundling over from close range to make it 16-16, and Jake Carter kicking the extras to put his side ahead.

It was a sign of things to come for the Hornets though, as key errors in ball-handling and the ruck proved to be their downfall.

The Cumbrians scored three unanswered tries to make it 34-16, taking the game out of reach. 

Two consolation tries from winger Luke Forber and centre Myles Harrop gave the home crowd something to shout about in the latter stages, but ultimately the Hornets fell to their second successive league defeat.

Up next for Gary Thornton’s men is a Good Friday clash with local rivals Swinton Lions at the Crown Oil Arena.

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Tyrer, Juma, Harrop, Forber, Flanagan, Else, Dayes, O’Donnell, Nelmes, Gallagher, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Burton, Andrade, Meadows, Yei

Tries: Whittel, Flanagan (2), Forber, Harrop

Goals: Harrop 2/5

Workington Town: Galea, Helleur-Atiga, Osayanwamba Corkill, Evans, Eccleston, Carter, Wear, Ainley, Phillips, Graham, Barnes, Bradley, Stephenson. Subs: Castle, Doran, Farrer, Scholey

Tries: Bradley (2), Doran (2), Barnes, Eccleston

Goals: Carter 5/6