Chris Barratt: We need to push on

Rochdale Hornets prop forward Chris Barratt has encouraged the squad to “look forward and push on” as they return to Betfred Championship action after a three-week hiatus this Sunday with a trip to Midlands Hurricanes.

Gary Thornton’s side will be looking to bounce back from three successive defeats in all competitions, including a 20-14 defeat to Goole Vikings at Victoria Pleasure Grounds last time out.

On the other hand, Mark Dunning’s Hurricanes’ side sit inside the play-off spots in eighth following successive wins against Goole (38-22), then Batley Bulldogs (34-30) last weekend. 

But after a disappointing run of results that leaves the Hornets 13th in the league table, Barratt insists that the break came at just the right time ahead of another tough test on the road.

“I think everyone is looking forward to it,” Barratt said.

“We needed a bit of time off with a few banged up bodies, and a little break means we should hopefully come into this refreshed and ready for the last part of the season.

“Although you usually like to get straight back to it after a tough loss [Goole], the break probably did us good.”

For Barratt, Sunday's fixture at Avery Fields also signals a meeting with familiar opposition.

The former North Wales Crusaders captain, who currently lives in Birmingham, spent five seasons with Coventry Bears from 2015-2019, making 106 appearances and registering 20 tries, before they rebranded to Midlands Hurricanes ahead of the 2022 season. 

Despite that extensive history with the area and club, Barratt insisted that previous experiences will not complicate the equation as the Hornets enter a vital period in the season.

“It will be nice not travelling too far for a change, but there’s not much sentimentality there now as the club has changed a lot since I left six years ago”, he added.

“From my perspective, I’m looking forward to hopefully getting on the field and picking up a win which gets us back on track.

“We know we are capable of winning if we fix the mistakes we’ve been repeating, and hope to prove that we are a match for anyone in those play-off positions.”