Rochdale Hornets 20 -16 Whitehaven

Rochdale Hornets climbed off the bottom of the table with a win against Whitehaven at Spotland Stadium.

Whitehaven had a slender lead  following a very low scoring first half but a superb effort by Hornets in the second half, led by man-of-the-match Wayne English, gave them their second league win of the season.

In the opening quarter of the game neither side could break through each other's solid defence but after 20 minutes play, Whitehaven finally opened the scoring with a converted try.

Hornets pulled four points back when great hands across the field put Gareth Langley in at the corner. Crook missed the conversion.

Whiteaven scored virtually from the kick off of the second half and the conversion gave them an eight point lead.

However, Hornets were quick to hit back when a 60 metre break by English gave Hornets the position for Sheridan to score out wide. Crook missed the kick.

Hornets took the lead for the first time midway through the second half when a superb cross field kick by Crook put Langley in for his second try of the game. Crook added the extras to give Hornets a two point lead.

Excellent Hornets inter play ended with Fiji Bati international Ryan Millard crossing the line and Crook's successful conversion extended Hornets lead to eight points.

Whitehaven did pull a try back late in the game when they made the most of their possession to score out wide, but failed to add the extras and the game ended Hornets 20, Whitehaven 16.