Hornets call in the army to deal with Oldham

Oldham versus Hornets at Whitebank in the epic play off semi-final

Rochdale Hornets will be backed by the armed forces on Good Friday when they take to the battlefield against local rivals Oldham Roughyeds in a game dubbed the El Clasico of rugby league.

Hornets, who have recently pledged their support to the armed forces community by signing the corporate covenant, will be theming derby day around serving and ex forces personnel.

At half time the latest six companies to agree the corporate covenant will take to the field to sign and have their picture taken with various delegates.

In attendance will be the Rochdale Branch of the Fusilier Association, Royal British Legion, Para Association and Veterans in the Community, who will parade pre-match to the Fusiliers drum and welcome the teams onto the field.

The Fusiliers Regimental Support team for army recruitment will also be in attendance and there will also be a paintball range for supporters of both teams to take aim on.

Each association will parade their regimental standards and flags and there will be a bucket collection for Help for Heroes as well.

The main battle kicks off at 3pm, as Hornets take on Oldham Roughyeds in the Kingstone Press League One opener, the first time the clubs have met since Rochdale triumphed in the 2013 play-off final.

During the 2013 season Hornets lost to the Roughyeds in a live TV fixture at Spotland, but triumphed at Whitebank in the opening game of the season as well as in the epic play off semi-final, in which a last minute Paul Crook drop goal sealed Hornets place in the play-off final in a game played in biblical stormy weather conditions.

Two weeks following that game Rochdale sealed promotion with a comfortable 32-18 victory at Leigh Sports Village and, due to Hornets unwillingness to play the traditional Law Cup fixture at the sub-standard Whitebank, and the Roughyeds unwillingness to find an alternative venue, the Good Friday derby dame will be the first time the rivals have met since that day.