Rochdale Hornets kicked off their Betfred Championship season with a hard-fought 12-8 win away at Swinton Lions in a tense local derby.
The Hornets came from behind in difficult conditions to take the spoils, with Ethan Wood’s second-half try and four goals from Max Flanagan sealing a narrow victory at Heywood Road.
Swinton took the lead midway through the first half when Jack Stevens landed a penalty from 15 metres out after a spell of pressure in the Hornets' red zone. The home side had dominated early territory but failed to capitalise on several attacking sets close to the line.
Rochdale came close to scoring shortly after when Dan Nixon took a high ball under pressure, only to spill it as he hit the ground.
Just before the break, the Hornets suffered a setback when second-rower Matty Unsworth was stretchered off following a lengthy stoppage in play.
However, they started the second half strongly. Max Flanagan slotted two penalty goals in quick succession to put the visitors 4-2 ahead.
Swinton hit back when Jamie Reddecliff pounced on a loose ball to score the game’s only try for the Lions, with Stevens converting to restore a four-point advantage.
But the Hornets were not done. With ten minutes remaining, Ethan Wood crossed in the corner after a sustained spell of pressure. Flanagan added the extras in driving rain to make it 10-8.
As Swinton pushed forward late on, Rochdale remained composed and forced a penalty near the hooter, which Flanagan calmly converted to put the result beyond doubt.
The win followed a confident pre-season outing against Goole Vikings and marked a positive start to Gary Thornton’s first full season in charge.
Swinton Lions: Roberts, Parkinson, Jones, Lynch, Higham, Stevens, Ratchford, Shingler, Openshaw, Reddecliff, Willis, Rodden, T. Kelly-Duffy.
Subs: Brown, Beardsworth, Roby, Meadows.
Tries: Reddecliff
Goals: Stevens (2)
Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Boyd, Ashton, Sa’u, Nixon, Punchard, Dallimore, Dayes, Whitmore, D. Kelly-Duffy, Unsworth, Wood, Syme. Subs: Waterworth, Hatton, Andrade, Metcalfe.
Tries: Wood
Goals: Flanagan (4)
Hornets fight back to maintain unbeaten start with win over Keighley
Bury Council approves £4.5 million investment in leisure centres
Rochdale and York MPs back campaign for extra National League promotion place
Anthony Johnson named Bury FC first team manager in statement move
Rochdale Hornets suffer record defeat as Wigan Warriors run in 15-try rout
Dale edge past Carlisle to make it six wins in a row
Rochdale voices add momentum to growing call for fairer National League promotion
Rochdale power back to first place after dominant display against Boreham Wood
Comments
Add a comment