Cookson enjoys testimonial win

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Hornets

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John Cookson celebrated his testimonial with a 60-10 victory over Coventry Bears at Spotland Stadium, as Rochdale Hornets’ pre-season schedule came to an end.

Cookson knocked over a conversion late on to get his name on the scoresheet and cap a memorable day, as he entered the field to a guard of honour alongside his family.

Hornets now have a free weekend ahead of the start of the competitive season, when they travel to Craven Park to face Barrow Raiders in the first round of the iPro Sport Cup.

Hornets were impressive throughout, dominant in the middle and played some great rugby on the edges, handing coach Alan Kilshaw a difficult selection task ahead of the trip to Craven Park.

Hornets opened the scoring through Samir Tahraoui, as Stuart Biscomb’s pass at the line sent the front rower through a hole in the Coventry defence.

Dale Bloomfield went over in the corner after Danny Yates found the wide man with a cut-out ball, and soon after Kieran Walpole crossed in the opposite corner to open up a 14-0 lead.

Coventry got off when Jamahl Hunte beat Bloomfield to a grubber and kicked ahead, before regathering possession to score out wide.

Matt Reid put them within four points as he cut through some soft defence on the Bears’ left edge, with Craig White converting.

With the half time break approaching, Yates showed great footwork to dummy his way over from close range and score a great solo effort, before grabbing a second three minutes later as he supported Alex McClurg’s break. Paul Crook converted both.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 26 - 10 Coventry Bears

Hornets extended their lead early the second half as James Tilley produced a great offload to Alex McClurg, who went over untouched.

Jordan Case came up with an impressive offload of his own, as Lewis Galbraith stepped back inside and finished the move off.

Case then found his way over way after fooling the defence with a clever dummy, which was followed by Ben Moores darting over from dummy-half off the back of a good break from Walpole.

Yates gave the kicking tee to Cookson and he duly converted Moores’ effort from in front.
Galbraith picked up his second try of the afternoon as he showed great strength to force his way over nine minutes from the end.

The scoring was rounded off with a great try from deep inside Hornets' own half, as James Dandy spotted space out wide and fired a cut-out ball to Case, before Corey Lee raced away in support to score in the corner.

Rochdale Hornets:  Chris Riley, Kieran Walpole, Kane Ditchfield, Lewis Galbraith, Dale Bloomfield, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, John Cookson, Harry Files, Samir Tahraoui, Stuart Biscomb, Alex Trumper, Jordan Case Subs: Alex McClurg, Ben Moores, James Tilley, Jack Francis, James Dandy, Corey Lee, Matty Hadden

Tries: Tahraoui (4), Bloomfield (10), Walpole (15), Yates (34, 37), McClurg (50), Galbraith (53, 71), Case (60), Moores (64), Lee (74)
Goals: Crook 5/7, Yates 2/3, Cookson 1/1

Coventry Bears: Dave Weston, Jamahl Hunte, Eddie Medforth, Matt Reid, Hayden Freeman, Craig White, Joel James, Alex Beddows, Richie Hughes, Jack Morrison, Jono Milizewski, Liam Thompson, Chris Barratt Subs: James Redman, James Geurtjens, John Aldred, Adam Saynor, Chris Dixon, Elliot Holton, Charlie O’Maia

Tries: Hunte (21), Reid (27)
Goals: White 1/2