Bradford Bulls 14 - 22 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Mark Harris

Bradford Bulls v Rochdale Hornets at Odsal

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Rochdale Hornets made it two wins out of two by beating Bradford Bulls, in arctic conditions, for the first time in 46 years at Odsal.

Hornets made hard work of a first half in which they gave away a series of costly penalties to go in four points down at half time. A gritty second half performance showed Hornets' character and they came away with the points.

Bulls dominated the opening ten minutes and scored early on after four repeat sets; Oscar Thomas from a grubber kick. The conversion attempt missed.

When Hornets found their feet they crossed the line only for the score to be chalked off for a knock on.

Hornets kept pressing and went close again but, despite another knock on, the Bulls' defence held firm.

The Hornets pressure eventually told when a flowing scrum move culminated with a slick pass to Miles Greenwood who slid over. Lewis Palfrey with the extras to give Hornets the lead.

The snow was making handling tough for both sides and leading to constant errors.

Palfrey extended Hornets lead with a penalty following Bulls interference at the play the ball.

That penalty was to be Hornets final points of the half as Bulls reaffirmed their first half control.

James Bentley got on the end of a kick though by Thomas. Thomas converting to give Bulls the lead.

Thomas was successful with a penalty kick after Jo Tiara was sin-binned for a late hit on Jordan Lilley.

Half time: Bradford Bulls 12 - 8 Rochdale Hornets

The second half started as the first finished with Hornets gifting more penalties to Bulls, one of which was converted by Thomas.

Hornets stepped up their game and began to apply pressure, which paid off when they forced their way through for Samir Tahraoui to score. Palfrey kicked to level the scores.

Midway through the second half and Hornets were now controlling the game, and came close to another score but for a try saving tackle by Thomas.

The try did come soon after when slick passing led to Danny Bridge crashing over the line. Palfrey missed the kick this time, but Hornets had a lead they did not relinquish.

Into stoppage time, following two lengthy stoppages for injuries to both Bulls and Hornets players, a Danny Yates drop kick hit the upright and bounced back.

With seconds remaining, Palfrey completed the scoring with another two from a penalty to give Hornets their first win at Odsal in 46 years.

The win sees Hornets top the Championship table on points difference from Hull KR - Hornets opponents next week at the Crown Oil Arena.

Bradford Bulls: Oscar Thomas, Ethan Ryan, James Mendieka, Ross Oakes, Iliess Macani, Leon Pryce, Jordan Lilley, Liam Kirk, Joe Lumb, Jon Magrin, Colton Roche, James Bentley, Brendan Wilkinson.
Replacements: Ross Pelter, Sam Hallas, Joshua Jordan-Roberts, Mikolaj Oledzki.

Rochdale Hornets: Miles Greenwood, Chris Riley, Jake Eccleston, Lewis Galbraith, Rob Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Samir Tahraoui, Ben Moores, Gavin Bennion, Danny Bridge, Josh Crowley, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Ryan Maneley, Jo Tiara, Matty Hadden, Jordan Case.

Referee: J Roberts
Touch Judges: P Marklove and D Arnold

Attendance: 4,051

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Match Commentary

Listen to full match commentary, from Rochdale 13, at:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/rochdale13/bradford-bulls-v-rochdale-hornets

Video

Match highlights from Rochdale 13