Rochdale Hornets 38 - 34 Featherstone Rovers

Photo: Alpha Photography

Rochdale Hornets v Featherstone Rovers

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Hornets ended a dismal run of defeats with a dramatic last gasp winner at the end of a tense, pulsating game.

Hornets got off to a good start and dominated the first 20 minutes and made it pay with three converted tries.

Paul Crook got the ball rolling with a try that he converted himself.

Stuart Littler crashed over for the second try. Crook added the two.

Hornets early domination continued when Ryan Millard showed his class chipping over and inter passing to score. Crooks converted to give Hornets an 18 lead mid way through the first half.

It looked all plain sailing but Rovers had other ideas and once they got off the mark, they put Hornets under pressure and two further converted tries followed to level the game at half time.

Hlaf time: Rochdale Hornets 18 - 18 Featherstone Rovers

Hornets came out in the second half with their resolve rejuvenated and took the lead again as Sean Casey scored out wide. Crook missed the conversion.

Hornets continued to dominate Rovers, just as they had early in the first half, and went further ahead when Matt Dawson scored out wide. Crook missed another difficult kick.

Rovers hit back after a short period of possession to pull Hornets back to a four point lead but Hornets turned the screw again to score close to the posts. Crook converted and mid way through the second half Hornets had a ten point lead.

Rovers got back into the game courtesy of controversial decision to score a converted try.

Just four points in front and with the game reaching its closing stages, Hornets went behind for the first time as Rovers hit back with a try and conversion to take a two point lead.

Despair in the stands as it looked like Hornets had thrown away the game but no heads dropped on the field and with time almost out Warren Thompson crashed over by the posts and Crook converted.

Full Time: Rochdale Hornets 38 - 34 Featherstone Rovers

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Matt Dawson, Dave Llewellyn, Stuart Littler, Sean Casey, Lewis Sheridan, Ryan Millard, Anthony Walker, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, Jordan Case, Alex Trumper, Jo Greenwood.
Replacements: James Dandy, Alex McClurg, Richard Beaumont, John Cookson.

Featherstone Rovers: Ian Hradman, Jason Crookes, Etu Uaisele, James Mendeika, Ben Blackmore, Andy Kain, Gaz Moore, Steve Crossley, Andy Ellis, Kyle Trout, James Lockwood, Liam Kent, Jack Bussey.
Replacements: Shaun Pick, Matt James, George Flanagan, Will Sharp.

Referee: J Bloem.