Rochdale Hornets 26 - 22 London Skolars

Photo: Alpha Photography

Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars

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Hornets kept alive their play-off hopes with a thrilling 26-22 win over London Skolars in their last game of the regular season.

Alex Anthony did his best to sink the Hornets with a hat-trick of tries and Jimmy Morgan also touched down for the Skolars as they led 18-16 early in the second half.

Matthew Fozard, Wayne English, Alex Trumper, Dale Bloomfield and Danny Bridge scored the tries for Hornets, who climbed into the fourth play-off spot ahead of Sunday's final fixtures.

Hornets took an early lead taking advantage of Skolars indiscipline; Fozard crashing over after Hornets were gifted possession.

Gaz Langley had a spectacular try disallowed for offside before Hornets made Skolars pay for their indiscretion again when Wayne English darted over the line.

Skolars opened thier account making the most of a penalty to get on the scoreboard and they took the lead due to an uncharacteristic handling error by Wayne English as he gifted the ball to Skolars to walk in.

Hornets re-took the lead before half time, great play following a Skolars infringement ended with Alex Trumper dancing over the line.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 16 - 12 London SkolarsRL

Skolars took the lead again early in the second half following another English error.

Hornets piled on the pressure and it finally told as Dale Bloomfield raced away to give Hornets the lead back.

Hornets extended the lead with a 50 metre break by prop Warren Thompson who fed Danny Bridge to score.

Skolars refused to lie down and after back to back sets they scored out wide to set up tense closing minutes.

Hornets held on for a very tight win in their last game of the season.

Hornets now await the results from Sunday's games to see if they have secured a place in the play-offs.

Attendance: 305

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Gaz Langley, Alex Trumper, Lee Paterson, Dale Bloomfield, Paul Crook, Danny Yates, James Tilley, Matty Fozrad, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, James Dandy, Tony Suffolk.
Replacements: Matty Hadden, Ryan Smith, Danny Jones, Alex McClurg.

London Skolars: James Anthony, Jimmy Morgan, Matt Cook, Chris Bishay, John Paxton, Tommy Connick, Jermaine Coleman, Michael Sykes, Mike Bishay, Will Martin, Joe Price, Will Lovell, David Williams.
Replacements: Mike Benson, Billy Driver, Louis Robinson, Aaron Small.

Referee: Scott Mikaulaskas