Rochdale Hornets 16 - 36 York City Knights

Rochdale Hornets v York City Knights

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Rochdale Hornets’ unbeaten home record in the league was ended by York City Knights as they suffered their third defeat of the season.

York had lost their last four games, but brought their losing run to an end with a comfortable victory as they made the Hornets pay for their poor retention of possession.

Hornets made too many errors at both ends of the field, as chances went begging in attack and they invited pressure in defence.

Alan Kilshaw made three changes to the side that beat Keighley Cougars last week, as Alex Trumper, Jono Smith and James Dandy came in for Ryan Maneely, Harry Cartwright and Corey Lee.

It was Dandy’s first game since April - a lengthy injury spell has seen him sidelined since making an appearance in a home victory over Gloucestershire All Golds.

Hornets were kept scoreless in the opening 40, and it took 21 minutes for York to open the scoring as Ed Smith poked through the defensive line before sending over Brett Waller.

A late surge saw York open up an 18 point advantage with two tries in the final three minutes of the first half; James Haynes strolled over straight from a scrum and Kris Brining darted over from dummy half moments before the hooter sounded.

Hornets were quick out of the traps in the second half as Jono Smith took full advantage of Brining’s knock-on from the kick-off to force his way over.

Tyler Craig replied for York, crossing in acres of space on the left edge, after Brining’s blind side break.

Russ Spiers all-but confirmed the victory as he picked a hole in the Hornets defence.

When Mike Emmett scored to increase York's lead the contest was effectively over.

With 10 minutes remaining Ben Moores restored some pride for Hornets with a try from dummy half.

Jordan Case cut the deficit a little more when he benefitted from Jo Taira’s fast hands to claw another four points back.

It was all too little too late though, and York rubbed salt in the wound with a penalty goal from Criag with two minutes remaining.