York Knights 34 - 20 Rochdale Hornets

A poor first half performance, littered with handling mistakes and poor defence, from an injury hit Rochdale Hornets cost them dearly as their winning run came to a grinding halt against York Knights. A much better second half performance wasn't enough to peg back the 18 point advantage Hornets had given Knights in the first half and Hornets fell to their first away loss of the season.

Without Wayne English, Dale Bloomfield, Gaz Langley, Mike Ratu, Dave Hull and Lee Paterson the depleted Hornets back line struggled to cope with York’s first half onslaught.

York dominated the opening ten minutes and opened the scoring when Liam Cunningham powered over the line. Ben Dent's conversion attempt missed.

It wasn't long before York scored again, this time a superb team try on the last tackle as Morrison kicked inside to Ed Smith who fed his brother Pat Smith to touch down. Dent successful with his kick.

York continued to enjoy the bulk of possession and had chances to increase their lead still further before Hornets opened their account. Alex Trumper going over in the corner. Paul Crook added the extras.

Hornets were throwing the ball around and using the full width of the field but constant handling errors were costing them dearly.

York took full advantage of one of those handling errors when Bridge fumbled giving York a try 30 yards out. A good ball wide from Dent to James Clare saw Clare angle his dive over the line to avoid touch. Dent failed to add the extras.

Poor Hornets defence was also costing Hornets and allowed York in under the posts; Jonny Presley flicked an offload to Dent who charged over. Dent successful with the conversion.

York went further ahead when Hornets gifted them another penalty and gave York field position, and Michael Channing skipped past three Hornets defenders to score in the corner. Dent missed the extras.

With half time approaching, York thoroughly deserved their 24 point lead but on the stroke of half time Danny Yates gave Hornets renewed hope when he chased a kick through to won the race to score. Yates also converted.

Half time: York Knights 30 - 12 Rochdale Hornets

Hornets came out for the second half knowing if they were to get back into the game they would have to cut out the mistakes, stop gifting York penalties and improve in defence.

They started well enough with good pressure lead to Matty Dawson parrying a kick back inside for Jack Ashworth to score. The conversion attempt went wide.

Hornets were enjoying a good spell of possession and applying the pressure but not converting that into enough points and frequently getting caught on the last tackle.

With a quarter of an hour left on the clock Hornets reduced York's lead to ten points when a spilled ball allowed Dawson to kick and chase to score. The conversion attempt missed.

Hornets pressed hard but any hope of pegging back the ten point deficit ended when a knock on gave York another set just ten metres from the Hornets line. Dent out wide wriggling over in the corner to put the game out of Hornets reach despite Dent missing his kick.

York Knights: Ben Dent, James Clare, Greg Minkin, Michael Channing, Nev Morrison, Jonny Presley, Jordan Howden, Mark Applegarth, Pat Smith, Jack Aldous, Ed Smith, Liam Cunningham, Brad Nicholson, Casey Canterbury, Jack Pickles, Ryan Mallinder, Lee Waterman.

Rochdale Hornets: Brad Hargreaves, Alkex Trumper, Dave Llewellyn, Jack Ashworth, Matty Dawson, Ryan Smith, Danny Yates, Ant Walker, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, Jordan Case, Tony Suffolk, James Tilley, Alex McClurg, Matty Hayden, Liam Gilchrist.

Referee: Jonathan Roberts