Sheffield Eagles score eight tries to defeat Rochdale Hornets in Championship clash

Rochdale Hornets suffered a 44 to 20 defeat against Sheffield Eagles as the visitors maintained their unbeaten start to the Betfred Championship season. The South Yorkshire side ran in eight tries in an entertaining contest.

Rochdale entered the match looking to end a run of two consecutive defeats following losses to Hunslet and Whitehaven.

The Hornets welcomed back Max Flanagan, while prop forward Charlie McKler made a second debut for the club after returning on loan from Warrington Wolves earlier in the week.

Captain Ross Whitmore was also back in the squad after international duty with Scotland, although he began the game on the bench as Luke Waterworth started at hooker.

The home side made the brighter start and took the lead inside five minutes. Dan Nixon reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Sheffield 20 metre area and raced clear to score. Flanagan added the conversion to give Rochdale an early six point advantage.

Sheffield responded soon afterwards when Ryan Miller finished in the corner following a move down the left edge, reducing the deficit.

The visitors moved ahead midway through the first half when Masi Matongo powered over beneath the posts. Jordan Lilley converted to give Sheffield the lead.

Craig Lingard’s side quickly added another try as Matty Marsh crossed in the corner after a dummy opened space in the Hornets defence.

Marsh claimed his second try of the afternoon 12 minutes before the break, exploiting another gap in the Rochdale defensive line. Lilley converted from wide out to extend the advantage.

Jack Bussey then crossed from close range three minutes before half time, with Lilley again successful with the kick to give Sheffield a 26 to 6 lead at the interval.

Rochdale reduced the deficit early in the second half when Flanagan finished a passing move from a scrum inside the Sheffield half and converted his own try.

The Eagles quickly restored their advantage as Joe Brown dived over in the corner, with Lilley adding another goal.

The Hornets continued to compete and just before the hour mark Jack Hansen scored against his former club after a grubber kick from Jamie Dallimore was not gathered by the Sheffield defence.

Sheffield added further points when Blake Broadbent broke through the Rochdale defence to score.

Rochdale continued to attack late in the game and TJ Boyd crossed in the corner, while Flanagan was narrowly denied another try after appearing to ground the ball in a crowded goal area.

The final try went to Sheffield as Alex Foster crossed late on, with Lilley kicking his sixth goal of the afternoon.

The result extends Sheffield’s unbeaten start to the 2026 Betfred Championship season.

For Rochdale Hornets it marks a third successive defeat. Their next fixture is scheduled for Sunday 22 March when they host Midlands Hurricanes.