Report: Rochdale Hornets 22-24 Whitehaven

Rochdale Hornets fell to their seventh successive defeat in all competitions, losing 24-22 to Whitehaven in the club’s annual Superhero Day.

After returning to the matchday squad at Barrow, Matty Unsworth made his first start since the opening day of the season in January as he slotted in at centre, while Junior Sa’u moved out to the wing.

There was also a milestone for Gary Thornton, with the Hornets head coach taking charge of his 100th match at the club, becoming the longest-serving boss since 1970.

The first real chance of the game came after just six minutes, with Ciaran Walker pouncing on the end of a loose ball to open the scoring for Whitehaven, before converting his own try.

Moments later, Junior Sa’u was shown a yellow card for retaliation, with the visitors taking full advantage of their extra man as Ethan Bickerdike forced his way over to extend the lead to 12-0.

Rochdale registered their first points just before the quarter-hour mark. Jack Hansen’s superb run from inside his half was thwarted by a ball steal, but from the penalty, the home side found a way through as Max Flanagan dived over in the corner.

Ten minutes from the break, confusion deep inside the Hornets half meant the ball was up for grabs and Bickerdike took full advantage, before offloading to Jay Weatherill who finished the job. Walker maintained his perfect kicking record as the Cumbrian side restored their 12-point lead.

The deficit was halved five minutes before half-time as Lewis Hatton crashed over from close range.

Right as the hooter sounded for the interval, Jamie Dallimore burrowed over from acting-half to plant the ball down amongst a sea of Whitehaven bodies to make it a two point game going into the interval and mark his 250th career appearance with a try.

From 6-18 down to 16-8 in the space of six minutes, the momentum had suddenly shifted in the Hornets’ favour as they went into the break with newfound confidence.

After an open and end-to-end start to the second half, the early advantage went the way of Whitehaven as James Newton’s side forced two quick goalline drop-outs to pile pressure on the Hornets defence, but they couldn’t make it pay as they gifted possession to Jordan Syme, who cleared the danger for his side.

The home side took the lead for the first time moments later. Dallimore was at the heart of the action again and created the space, before Chris Barratt exploited a hole in the Whitehaven defence to nudge his side in front, with Flanagan adding the extras.

They almost extended their lead just after the hour mark through Junior Sa’u, but the makeshift Hornets winger couldn’t keep hold of the ball as he went for the line.

The scores could’ve been level again with 10 minutes to play after Whitehaven’s Jack Kellett looked to have grounded the ball after latching onto the end of a short pass, but was adjudged to have been held up.

Seven minutes from time, Kellett did have his try as he forced his way home underneath the sticks, with Walker making no mistake with the conversion.

This proved to be the decisive moment, with the visitors holding on to claim their third successive win.

Meanwhile, the wait for a Rochdale win goes on, with a trip to Cumbria on the horizon next Sunday as the Hornets travel to Workington Town, as part of a double-header between the club’s men’s and women’s teams. 

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

Tries: Flanagan, Hansen, Dallimore, Barratt

Goals: Flanagan (3)

Whitehaven: Newbegin, Weatherill, Bickerdike, Todd, Callander, C.Walker, Kellett, Shackley, Holgate, Brennan, McQuistan, Pearce, W.Walker. Bench: Pearce, Williamson, Sinclair, Marsh.

Tries: C.Walker, Bickerdike, Weatherill, Kellett

Goals: C.Walker (4)

Post-match reaction