Rochdale Hornets 19 - 18 North Wales Crusaders

Rochdale Hornets edged their fierce rivals, North Wales Crusaders, for the second time this season in a tight encounter to complete a league double over the Welsh outfit.

The win wasn’t without controversy though as Scott Turner and Dale Bloomfield were shown straight red cards half an hour in for exchanging blows off the ball.

Hornets saw out a 19-18 victory in the end to replace their opponents in the top five as they kept their play-off hopes alive with a crucial win.

Crusaders opened the scoring seven minutes in after a great kick from Jamie Dallimore trapped Wayne English in-goal and from the resulting set Tommy Johnson sent Benjamin Jullien over in the left corner.

Half an hour into the half Turner and Bloomfield were sent from the field.

Six minutes before the break Hornets levelled through Brad Hargreaves after they forced a repeat set and English floated a cut-out ball to the wing man who touched down out wide. Paul Crook couldn’t convert.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 4 - 4 North Wales Crusaders

In the first set of the second half Hornets were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and Crook took the opportunity to nudge his side ahead by adding two points with his boot.

Hornets extended that lead straight from the kick-off as Lee Paterson broke from deep in his own half to go within inches of scoring before the ball was shipped right with the next play and Jordan Case strolled over. Crook added an important conversion to make the lead eight points.

Crusaders replied as Jullien picked up his second of the afternoon when he found a gaping hole in the stretched Hornets defence. Johnson’s conversion put the Welsh outfit within two points.

Crusaders bombed a huge chance when Jullien looked to have sent Rob Massam over in the corner, only for the winger to knock on unopposed.

Hornets made Crusaders pay when James Tilley forced a knock-on and from the resulting scrum Crook hit Case with a flat ball and he barged his way over for a double. Crook added the extras.

A slick passing move saw Andy Oakden cross on the right hand side for Crusaders. Johnson dragged the conversion wide.

With five minutes left on the clock Danny Yates kicked a field goal.

Crusaders regained possession from the kick off and two minutes from time Massam pounced on a Andy Moulsdale kick to score.

Johnson was presented with the task of converting from the touch line to win the game but he pushed his kick across the face of the posts.

Hornets hung on for the remainder of the game to claim a crucial victory which sends them into the final four games with a chance of securing a place in the play-offs and fighting for promotion.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Brad Hargreaves, Dave Hull, Lee Paterson, Dale Bloomfield, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, Matty Haggarty, Matty Fozard, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, Jordan Case, James Tilley Subs: Matty Hadden, James Dandy, Danny Jones, Alex McClurg

North Wales Crusaders: Tommy Johnson, Scott Turner, Stuart Reardon, Benjamin Jullien, Rob Massam, Andy Moulsdale, Jamie Dallimore, Joe Burke, Lee Hudson, Jonny Walker, Sam Peet, Matt Reid, Ryan Duffy Subs: Callum Wright, Andy Joy, Elliot Davies, Andy Oakden

Referee: Dave Merrick