Saints sink Hornets

With a line-up featuring ex-Hornets dual registration regulars Carl Forster and Joe Greenwood, Saints looked dangerous across the pitch, but for 10 minutes Hornets competed on a par and looked pretty comfortable. However, when Saints hit the gas, Hornets' challenge rapidly disappeared into the distance.

The try scoring started on 12 minutes when a break up centre field by Dwyer looked to have come to nothing as his hurried pass inside bounced - seemingly forward - to ground; the loose ball was snaffled by an on-rushing Fleming who had the momentum to push past Benji Lloyd. Referee Mr Turley was happy with the approach, Charnock added the extras and Saints had a tenth minute lead.

Whilst a constantly changing Hornets plugged away gamely for the remainder of the half, Saints hit their rhythm and showed their clinical side. Whilst Hornets turned half-chances into chances, Saints turned half-chances into points.

Makinson launched a huge last-tackle cross-field bomb - more in hope than expectation, it has to be said - and Ade Gardner was first to react, out-jumpiing Benji Lloyd to score. Charnock good with the boot for 12-0.

Six minutes later, Hornets gifted Saints a repeat set from a dropped ball and the visitors shipped it through quick hands for Carl Forster to duck in by the posts. Charnock with the two.

Despite some improved Hornets resistance, Saints ended the half with a five minute double whammy: first, good yards made through centre field provided the platform for Clough to barrel in under the black dot, then Forster the fulcrum as Wheeler's neat pass slipped Charnock under the posts. Charnock with both conversions and Hornets looking punch-drunk at the break 30-0 down.

Hornets started the second half with noticeably more purpose and after just three minutes a neat Steve Roper dink behind a flat-footed Saints defence saw Hornets man of the match Wayne English dive through to score. Paul Crook with conversion and Hornets awake at 30-6.

This just served to get Saints revved up and when they they engaged the cogs just four minutes later, they didn't look back.

A lightning break from Tommy Makinson, outpacing the cover to score, Wheeler's kick to the corner saw Gardner out-jumping Kyle Buckley-Mayall and slick hands across the line for Galbraith to score by the flag. With two out of three conversions for Charnock Hornets looked lost.

Repeated pressing on the Hornets right found space for Rochdale's Jack Ashworth to stride through and score. Charnock wide with the conversion.

The try of the game came in the 70th minute when a twisting long-distance strike from the mercurial Galbraith turned the Hornets defence inside out for a well-taken solo try. Makinson with the conversion.

The final try came when some suspect Hornets defending allowed Tisdale to jink and step through a series of flaping tackles to score. Makinson with the conversion.

Hornets head coach Ian Talbot commented: "Obviously I am disappointed with the performance. We started well but it only lasted for 10 mins and we reacted poorly to the first sign of adversity when they scored.

"It was then all one way traffic as we failed to control the ball and defended soft.

"There are only one or two players that can come out with any credit - Tony Suffolk, Adam Bowman and Jordan Case were probably our best.

"The number of changes and early injury to James Dandy didn't help but as a whole we got what we deserved.

"We now have to re-group and make sure we make improvements next week when we take on Hunslet at home."

Hornets are at Spotland again on Sunday 9 February when they take on Hunslet Hawks in the final warm up game before the season gets underway.

It is all pay on the gate with adults priced at £10, concessions £8 and U16s £1.