North Wales Crusaders 12 - 14 Rochdale Hornets

Dale Bloomfield’s late try sealed a hard fought win for Rochdale Hornets, as they beat promotion rivals North Wales Crusaders.

After last week’s poor defensive effort it was business as usual as the Hornets defended their line brilliantly, especially in the latter stages of the game, to edge an enthralling encounter.

It was the perfect revenge for their defeat in the iPro Sport Cup earlier in the season, with Ian Talbot’s men ensuring that they made the trip home from Wales with two points in the bag.

The win keeps them above their opponents in second place going into next weekend’s clash with table toppers Keighley Cougars.

It started badly for Crusaders as they lost Alex Thompson to an ankle injury after just four minutes, with the loose forward leaving the field on a stretcher.

Five minutes later Hornets were in front, as the impressive Jack Ashworth broke the line down the left edge before finding Wayne English in support as the skipper made a try scoring return to the side. Paul Crook knocked over the conversion to make it 6-0.

That lead lasted just six minutes though when Jamie Dallimore floated a cut out ball to winger Rob Massam, who found a way past his opposite man to score. Tommy Johnson’s touchline conversion levelled the scores.

Hornets were back in front after a quarter of the game though as Crook took the opportunity to take a simple shot at goal after Ryan Smith copped a high shot.

Dallimore was leading Crusaders around the field well and he went close to grabbing the next try of the game as he broke the line before giving chase to his own kick, however he couldn’t get there before it ran dead.

Hornets went into the break with a four point advantage as Danny Yates added a penalty goal of his own on the stroke of half-time.

In a fast-paced start to the second half, Crusaders were level after just two minutes as Stephen Wild sliced through Hornets’ and rounded the fullback. Johnson was off target and the scores were level again.

The game was beginning to boil over when Tony Suffolk and Elliot Davies were sent to the sin bin after 50 minutes for a coming together in back play. The penalty went the way of Crusaders, and after ignoring the opportunity to take the two Johnson made it 12-10 with the boot when they were awarded another penalty immediately after.

Rochdale’s pack were getting through a lot of work, with Suffolk, Anthony Walker and Warren Thompson refusing to shy away from the physical battle in the middle of the field.

With just two points in it the next half an hour saw both sides probing for an opening to grab a try which would surely win the game, but the defensive effort of both sides was too good until Bloomfield came up with the winner three minutes from time.

Alex McClurg’s break got Hornets on the front foot and off the back of that a good sweeping move ended with the prolific winger forcing his way over in the corner.

Crook missed the conversion and from the short kick off Hornets coughed up possession which invited some late pressure, but the defence once again repelled the Crusaders attack and they saw out a crucial 14-12 victory to remain second in the table.

North Wales Crusaders: Tommy Johnson, Scott Turner, Benjamin Jullien, Matt Reid, Rob Massam, Karl Ashall, Jamie Dallimore, Jonny Walker, Joel Burke, Jono Smith, Stephen Wild, Alex Thompson, Ryan Duffy, Lee Hudson, Mark Hobson, Elliot Davies.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Brad Hargreaves, Lee Paterson, Jack Ashworth, Dale Bloomfield, Ryan Smith, Danny Yates, Anthony Walker, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, Jordan Case, Danny Bridge, Tony Suffolk, James Tilley, Matty Hadden, Alex McClurg, Alex Trumper.

Referee: Gareth Hewer

Attendance: 661