Rochdale Hornets 0 - 78 Fiji Bati

Rochdale Hornets v Fiji Bati

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The gulf in class between Fiji and a depleted Hornets side was apparent within minutes of the start of this historic game. Hornets were made to look ordinary by a fast, powerful, skillful Fiji team. When Hornets had the ball they were hit within seconds by players the size of trucks and when Fiji had the ball the Hornets players had the unenviable task of having to try and tackle a runaway truck heading in their direction at speed and offloading with the finesse and quality that will surely see Fiji a force to be reckoned with in the Rugby League World Cup.

Though billed as a friendly, there was no doubting the commitment of both sides, and at times that commitment boiled over into illegal confrontation, however, such incidents were swiftly dealt with and defused and on the whole the game was played in a friendly if somewhat competitive spirit.

Fiji opened the scoring within minutes of the start of the game, Korbin Sims going over; Wes Naiqama added the extras. Sims quickly added two more, completing his hat-trick within ten minutes, with Naiqama converting.

Despite Hornets giving everything they had, Fiji were far too strong and fast and crossed the line a further four times with tries from Kevin Naiqama, Akuila Uat, Apisai Koroisau and Peni Botiki. Wes Naiqama kicked to convert three out of the four tries and scored twice. Apisai Koroisau converted the last try of the half.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 0 - 40 Fiji Bati

The second half was more of the same, Fiji powering through a valiant but seemingly fragile Hornets defence as they scored another seven trys from Kane Evans, two from Jason Bukuya, Sisi Waqa, Semi Radradra, Vitale Roqica and just as the Fijian man-of-the-match was announced as Kevin Naiqama, he ghosted past three Hornets defenders to score his second try in emphatic fashion.

Hornets rarely threatened to score but on the one occasion they managed to breach the Fiji defence when Hough's chipped pass fell to Matty Crow to touch down, the referee ruled the try out for offside, much to the dismay of the stadium announcer who brought a smile to all the faces in the ground when he loudly declared it a "shocking decision".

Fiji will be glad of the work out as they prepare for their Rugby League World Cup game against Ireland at Spotland on 28 October.

The Hornets players will feel honoured to have taken on a side with such a talented international team with close historical connections to the club, and will no doubt be cheering their adopted side for the World Cup.

A spokesman for Hornets said: "Overall it was a phenomenal day for Rochdale Hornets to host some of the cream of the NRL and we wish everyone involved with Fiji Bati all the best going forward."

Full time: Rochdale Hornets 0 - 78 Fiji Bati

Hornets Team: Wayne English, Gaz Langley, Danny Davies, Andy Ball, Benji Lloyd, Chris Hough, Jonny Leather, John Cookson, Alex McKlurg, Adam Bowman, Alex Trumper, Matthew Crow, Dayne Donogue
Interchanges: Gareth Frodsham, Ryan Brown, Matt Cooper, Liam Thomas, Scott Turner, Tony Stewart

Fiji Team: Kevin Naiqama, Marika Koroibete, Sisa Waqa, Wes Naiqama, Akuila Uate, Alipate Noilea, Aaron Groom, Ashton Sims, James Storer, Petero Civoniceva, Tariq Sims, Jason Bukuya, Korbin Sims
Interchanges: Darryl Millard, Semi Radradra, Ilisavani Jeqesa, Ryan Millard, Kaliova Nauqe, Vitale Roqica, Apisai Koroisau, Kane Evans, Peni Botiki, Tikiko Noke