North Wales Crusaders 28 - 4 Rochdale Hornets

iPro Sport Cup Quarter Final

In a game littered with errors and needless penalties, Rochdale Hornets crashed out of the iPro Sport Cup at the quarter final stage to a resolute North Wales Crusaders at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium in Wrexham.

The first half was fairly even despite Crusaders half time lead, however the second half was one way traffic in scoring terms with Hornets unable to add to their solitary first half try while Crusaders added a further three to their first half tally.

Crusaders started well and took an early lead. Jamie Dallimore with a smart dummy forced his way over the line. Tommy Johnson converted.

With just over quarter of an hour played Crusaders extended their lead when a cut-out pass from Callum Wright put former Hornet Gary Middlehurst in. Johnson again converting.

Half way through the first half and Hornets got their game together and began to dominate possession. However, despite set after set they could find no way through the Crusaders defence until a high kick was tipped back by Gaz Langley to Dave Hull and he finally broke the resolute Crusaders defence to cross the line. Paul Crook missed with his conversion attempt from out wide.

Hornets had a great opportunity to reduce the deficit but Sam Brooks missed a big chance, knocking on as he attempted to put the ball down on the line.

Hornets kept up the pressure as the half came to a close and had most of the ball but good defence from Crusaders kept Hornets out.

Half time: North Wales Crusaders 12 - 4 Rochdale Hornets

Crusaders started the second half as they did the first with an early score. Brad Hargreaves was caught out by a Declan Patton bomb and Scott Turner took full advantage to increase Crusaders lead. Johnson sliced his kick wide.

Half way through the second half and Crusaders were dominating possession, though Hornets made that easier with a series of errors gifting their opposition the ball in dangerous positions.

With Hornets realising one more try for Crusaders meant game over, Ryan Smith pulled off a try saving tackle.

Hornets were lucky again when Ormsby missed a golden opportunity to put the game beyond Hornets as he knocked on over the line.

With just ten minutes to go, and Hornets increasingly desperate to find a way back, Crusaders went two points further ahead courtesy of a Tommy Johnson penalty.

Crusaders put the game well and truly beyond Hornets reach with the try of the game. Gary Middlehurst sent Alex Thompson down the wing, and he passed inside for Karl Ashall to cross the line. Johnson added the extras.

Salt was rubbed in Hornets' wound with two minutes to play when another Declan Patton bomb was collected by Scott Turner for his second try of the game. Johnson missed adding the extras this time.

Attendance: 465

North Wales Crusaders: Tommy Johnson, Rob Massam, Gene Ormsby, Stuart Reardon, Scott Turner, Karl Ashall, Jamie Dallimore, Joe Burke, Callum Wright, Jonny Walker, Jono Smith, Stephen Wild, Gary Middlehurst
Replacements: Declan Patton, Alex Thompson, Ryan Duffy, Paddy Mooney

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Gaz Langley, Dave Hull, Lee Paterson, Brad Hargreaves, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, Sam Brooks, Alex McClurg, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, Jordan Case, Tony Suffolk
Replacements: John Cookson, Ryan Smith, Jack Ashworth, James Tilley

Referee: Gareth Hewer