Rochdale Hornets 74 - 4 South Wales Scorpions

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Rochdale Hornets v South Wales Scorpions

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Rochdale Hornets put in a consumate display to see off South Wales Scorpions at Spotland as they bounced back from last week’s defeat to Swinton Lions.

With every game between now and the end of the season vital to the Hornets play-off hopes it was an important victory, with the 74-4 score line helping to improve their points difference as well as moving them up to sixth in the table.

Mike Ratu returned from a lengthy injury and Alex Trumper was back in the side, with both impressing; Danny Bridge was the stand-out with a brilliant performance. Dale Bloomfield also had a good afternoon as he scored four tries and Paul Crook finished with a 26-point haul, kicking 11 goals and scoring a try of his own.

Hornets opened the scoring after just three minutes when a slick passing move saw Danny Bridge set Wayne English free down the left edge, and the fullback drew his opposite number before sending Dale Bloomfield over in the corner.

Ten minutes later they were in again as Bridge managed to force an arm free and offload to Lee Paterson, with Danny Yates supporting inside and touching down under the osts. Paul Crook improved the score with his conversion.

Hornets were in for their third as Crook’s flat ball was met by the on-rushing Mike Ratu, who crashed over on his return from injury. Crook added the extras.

Yates scored his second try after Bridge once again broke the line down the left edge and returned the ball inside to the supporting halfback who raced away to score a converted try.

Matty Hadden scored next with one of his first touches of the game as he managed to reach over from close range, grabbing another converted effort for Hornets.

Things got worse for the Scorpions as Crook barged his way over from close range, before converting his own try.

With only two minutes of the first half remaining Bloomfield scored up his second of the match after Paterson jumped blind from dummy half and put the winger in space out wide - he finished well close to the posts. Crook converted.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 40 - 0 South Wales Scorpions

Bloomfield completed his hat-trick early the second half as English’s cut-out ball found him in acres of space out wide.

Ryan Smith joined in on the scoring as he dummied his way through the defensive line and rounded the fullback to score a converted try.

Straight from the kick-off the Hornets went the length of the field to score another try as Bridge broke the line and handed possession on to Paterson, with the centre racing 50 metres to score under the posts.

South Wales enjoyed a period of pressure and came close on a number of occasions, with Jonny Leather finding his way over the try line only to be held up.

After a 14 minute drought Hornets extended their lead again as Ratu was too strong from close range and managed to plant the ball down for his second. Crook with the conversion.

Scorpions never gave up and were rewarded with a breakthrough as Connor Farrer brushed off an attempted tackle to score in the corner and make sure his side weren’t scoreless for a second week running.

However, normal service was resumed as Bridge capped an impressive performance by powering his way over the try line from 10 metres out. Crook converted.

The Welsh side’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Paul Emanuelli was sent-off with seven minutes of the game remaining for a high shot and then two minutes later Leather was sin-binned for dissent.

Hornets capitalised, Bloomfield in for his fourth in the corner to wrap up victory.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Dale Bloomfield, Lee Paterson, Mike Ratu, Brad Hargreaves, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, Matty Haggarty, Matty Fozard, Warren Thompson, James Dandy, Danny Bridge, James Tilley.
Subs: Ryan Smith, Matty Hadden, Alex Trumper, Danny Jones.

South Wales Scorpions: Jonny Leather, Zak Williams, Paul Edwards, Curtis Davies, Ian Newbury, Ryan Millington, Paul Emmanuelli, Barrie Phillips, Connor Farrer, Osian Phillips, Kyle Scrivens, Bradley Hill, Connor Davies.
Subs: Dafydd Hellard, Michael Connor, Anthony Symonds, Gerthin King.

Referee: Tom Grant

Attendance: 300