Rochdale Hornets 54 - 22 Barrow Raiders

Bobby Gouldings return to Spotland was not as he had hoped as a ruthless Rochdale Hornets team cruised to a 54-22 victory against his Barrow side.

Hornets were stunned in the opening minutes as the ball was moved wide on the third play and a Liam Harrison break followed by neat handling allowed Wiper to dive in at the corner.

Hornets pressed the Barrow line in response and forced a drop out before Barrow again forced their way into the Hornets 22. Caught on the back foot, the Hornets defence couldn’t retreat and Mossop burrowed over for an easy try.

Shaw knocked over one of the two and Hornets were rocking at 10-0 down.

The impressive Richard Beaumont led the Hornets fight back and gave Sheridan, Millard and Crook the space they craved and a period of sustained pressure followed, with goal line drop outs forced on two occasions.

The pressure finally told when Beaumont and Greenwood rocked the Barrow defence and Lewis Sheridan burst the line before stepping the fullback to score.

Not to be out done, Ryan Millard dummied, jinked and stepped his way to the line shortly after.

Crook as trusty as ever with two goals from two kicks.

Barrow again exerted pressure as a miscued 40-20 attempt from Crook followed by a penalty put Hornets under pressure.

As Barrow pressed and prodded, the Rochdale line stood firm and Shannon McDonnell, deputising for Hornets captain Wayne English, diffused the grubber and relieved the pressure.

The try of the game followed shortly after Barrow's fruitless efforts as Fijian flyer Millard put in an inch perfect cross field through ball which Sean Casey gathered and flicked back inside to the supporting Matt Dawson to finish in the corner. Crook knocked the conversion over from the touchline and Barrow were visibly shaken.

Greenwood went close minutes later before McClurg darted over from dummy half. A reverse kick from Sheridan bamboozled everyone and when Dawson challenged the bounce the ball fell kindly to Case who fell in by the posts. Sheridan deputised for the resting Crook and slotted two from two from in front of the posts to leave the Hornets 30-10 up at half time.

The second half started pretty much the same as the first as Harrison again broke and good hands saw Ryan Shaw dive in at the corner. With Shaw successful with the boot, Barrow sensed a comeback and threw everything they had at Rochdale.

The Hornets line stood firm and with the big men reeling from the defensive effort, it was the turn of the backs to take Hornets forward and with King, Dawson and Littler making big yards, the line opened up for McClurg to grab his second, darting in on the last tackle.

Again the tide turned in Hornets favour as a towering Sheridan kick was fumbled, Case on hand for an opportunist walk in on the next play.

Case then turned provider as an improvised Littler kick found its way to Case, who threw the ball behind his back to the supporting Paul Crook.

The merciless Crook added all three conversions and the game was effectively over on the hour mark with Hornets leading 48-16.

Both teams did get one last try each as Dalton Grant crept in at the corner for Barrow, Shaw converted, and John Cookson barrelled over in the last minute for Hornets, Crook converted. 

Rochdale born Lewis Sheridan was awarded man-of-the-match but the platform was laid by the dominating Hornets pack led by the rampaging Richard Beaumont.

Rochdale Hornets: Shannon McDonnell,  Sean Casey, Matt Dawson, Stuart Littler, Ryan King, Lewis Sheridan, Ryan Millard, Warren Thompson, Paul Crook, Richard Beaumont, Dave Llewellyn, Alex Trumper, Joe Greenwood.
Replacements: John Cookson, Jordan Case, Tony Suffolk, Alex McClurg.
Tries: Sheridan (15), Millard (22), Dawson (30), McClurg (34), Case (39), McClurg (47), Case (50), Crook (53), Cookson (78). 
Conversions: Crook 7/7. Sheridan 2/2

Barrow Raiders: Ryan Shaw, Bradley Goulding, Craig Briscoe, Max Wiper, Dalton Grant,  Ben Karalius, Liam Campbell, Ben Davies, Nathan Mossop, Andrew Dawson, Liam Harrison, Ben Musolino, Connor Dwyer
Replacements: Brad Marwood, Danny Jones, Joe Bullogh, Jack Morrison.
Tries: Wiper (1), Mossop (9), Shaw (41), Grant (73). 
Conversions: Shaw 3/4.

Referee: J Cobb

Attendance: 612