Report: Midlands Hurricanes 42-4 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets fell to their fourth successive defeat in all competitions as they were put to the sword by a ruthless Midlands Hurricanes at Avery Fields.

It was the Hornets’ first fixture in three weeks after a disappointing trip to Goole at the end of June, with Gary Thornton’s side looking to put points on the table for the first time since their dramatic win at Keighley six weeks ago.

Chris Barratt and Mark Ioane both returned to the side to provide a boost in the pack, whilst Alex Chippendale came back into the centres.

There were some familiar names in the Hurricanes line-up too, hooker Aiden Roden and half-back Lewis Else both having worn Hornets colours in the past.

It was the home side who struck first after less than five minutes, with Else coming back to haunt his former club as he sliced the Hornets defence to race away and open the scoring.

The Hornets thought they had found an instant response when TJ Boyd finished off a quick passing move in front of the Hurricanes line, but the winger had just strayed into touch before grounding the ball.

Midlands turned defence into attack with the following set and had their second after strong build-up, Luis Roberts crashing over in the corner for his side’s second.

Mark Dunning’s men were in the mood for more, and Jon-Luke Kirby delivered with a barn-storming run to the line. 

The visitors started to grow into the game, with Jamie Dallimore’s kicks proving troubling for the Midlands defence, forcing a goal-line drop-out before his side gave the ball away in disappointing fashion within 20m of the line. 

The error proved to be costly as just moments later, Else had his second of the afternoon, dancing around poor Hornets defence to finish in the corner before Sully Medforth opened up a 22-point gap from the tee.

Seven minutes from the interval, Gary Thornton’s side were temporarily reduced to 12 men following Ethan Wood’s swinging arm on Else deep inside his own half, with a 25-man Melee ensuing before the card was brandished.

Right on the stroke of half-time, the hosts extended their lead once more thanks to Aidan McGowan, who worked around the Hornets defence to add his name to the scoresheet, in what proved to be the last action of the first 40 minutes.

Midlands started the second half in the same way they started the first, with a quick try. After some pressure on the Hornets line, James Woodburn-Hall strolled through the gap to score, with Medforth adding two more points to his tally shortly after.

Rochdale’s best chance came just before the hour mark when George Roby stretched out amongst a sea of bodies but couldn’t quite manage to keep hold of the ball as he planted it down, with Zeus Silk capitalising on the loose ball to clear the danger.

Woodburn-Hall had his second 20 minutes from time, before Medforth continued his impressive record from the boot.

Medforth was the next to score for the home side, in what had become a rout, finishing off a fast team move but failing to convert his own try.

Five minutes from time, the travelling supporters did have something to cheer as Dan Nixon scored in the corner with a typical flying finish. This, of course, proved to be a mere consolation on a day where Midlands picked up their third successive league win.

A tough test at Sheffield Eagles awaits next week, with two points vital to ensure any hope of competing in the play-offs in September stay alive.

Midlands Hurricanes: Woodburn-Hall, Chrimes, Roberts, Oakes, McGowan, Medforth, Else, Luke-Kirby, Roden, Dickinson, Wilkinson, Warren, Morris. Bench: Newboult, Shaw, Silk, Moran.

Tries: Else (2), Roberts, Luke-Kirby, McGowan, Woodburn-Hall (2), Medforth

Goals: Medforth (5)

Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Boyd, Chippendale, Sa’u, Nixon, Dallimore, Hansen, Barratt, Waterworth, Dayes, Whitmore, Wood, Syme. Bench: Hatton, Roby, Andrade, Ioane.

Tries: Nixon

Goals: 

Post-match reaction

Photo credit: Andy Shaw