Rochdale Hornets 8 - 10 Keighley Cougars

Photo: Alpha Photography

Mike Ratu scored Hornets only try of the game

Rochdale Hornets play-off hopes were dealt a major blow at Spotland when Keighley Cougars just edged a tight, exceptionally low scoring game. The teams were level at half time and Hornets took the lead early in the second half before Cougars hit back with a quarter of an hour to play. Hornets had two late penalties, which had they been converted would have given them the points, but for once the trusty boot of Paul Crook wasn't to be Hornets' saviour.

Keighley opened the scoring within minutes of the kick off when Samir Tahraoui powered his way over the Hornets line. Lawton missed the conversion.

It took until midway through the half for another score, this time Hornets opening their account when Mike Ratu broke to score from a short offload. Crook missed the conversion.

As half time appraoched on a warm afternoon at Spotland the heavens opened and torrential rain ensued.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 4 - 4 Keighley Cougars

Hornets took the lead five minutes into the second half when Keighley were penalised for holding down in the tackle. Crook was successful with the penalty.

Crook extended Hornets lead with a superb penalty kick from within his own half, all of 60 metres.

Cougars hit back and leveled when superb hands by Darville and Guzdek put winger Andy Gabriel in in the corner. Paul Handforth missed the extras.

Cougars took the lead when Hornets gave away a penalty and Handforth had the simple task of slotting over from 30 metres.

With twenty minutes to play there was still plenty of time for Hornets to rescue the game and they had the opportunity to do so as they were awarded two penalties but the usually reliable Crook missed both and with those misses went the points.

The loss leaves Hornets in fifth place in the table, still in a play-off place but with North Wales Crusaders just a point behind with a game in hand, it becomes crucial Hornets win their two remaining games and hope Crusaders slip up.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Bradley Hargreaves, Michael Ratu, Lee Paterson, Dale Bloomfield, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, James Tilley, Matty Fozard, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, James Dandy, Jordan Case.
Substitutes: Matty Hadden, Dave Hull, Danny Jones, Alex McClurg.

Keighley Cougars: Josh Guzdek, Andy Gabriel, Danny Lawton, Hamish Barnes, Paul White, Liam Darville, Paul Handforth, Scott Law, James Feather, Samir Tahraoui, Josh Lynam, Olly Pursglove, Tyler Dickinson.
Substitutes: Brendan Rawlins, David March, Neil Cherryholme, Matthew Bailey.

Attendance: 671
Referee: Tom Grant