Sheffield Eagles 26 - 22 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Kevin Penny scored Hornets first try

Rochdale Hornets suffered an agonising loss away to Sheffield Eagles on Sunday, but despite the defeat, results elsewhere secured their place in the Championship for next season.

It was a gutsy performance that deserved a win, as Hornets took the game to their opponents and had chances to clinch the victory late on.

Those chances went begging though, and Mezie Yere struck for Sheffield three minutes from time to leave Hornets devastated at the final hooter.

The 17 men that travelled were the only fit players at coach Alan Kilshaw’s disposal, with full back Miles Greenwood and winger Chris Riley on the bench - the latter unused.

The afternoon started well for Hornets, as the returning Lewis Palfrey kicked a 40/20 which led to Dec Kay sending Kevin Penny over in the corner. Danny Yates landed a brilliant touchline conversion.

Yates took advantage of a penalty for a ball steal, to make it 8-0, but within two minutes Sheffield replied. Matty Fozard burrowing over from dummy half for a six pointer.

Garry Lo scored his ninth try in three games against Hornets to give Sheffield the lead; he released Ryan Millar down the left edge before scoring in support. There were questions about the effort as the he stumbled close to the dead ball line before grounding, but the officials were on the spot to award it.

As the rain began to fall, Yates levelled the scores with a second penalty goal on the half hour mark.

With no further points posted in the first half the two sides went into the break at 10 points each.

It took just six minutes for Hornets to cross in the second half; a deft pass at the line from Jordan Case sent Matty Hadden over next to the posts for a converted try.

Hornets opened upa 12 point lead when Ryan Maneely broke the Sheffield defensive line, and on the next tackle Jack Holmes found his way over on the right edge. Yates adding another impressive conversion from out wide.

Maneely took a late hit in the build up to the try, and after trying to run it off he was replaced by unlikely hooker Greenwood.

Sheffield hit back when Lee Mitchell pondered over Jack Owens’ grubber for too long and the half back pounced. He converted his own try to half the deficit.

Palfrey sparked a Hornets attack from nothing, chipping over the top for Penny, and with Yates in support it seemed a certain try, however the pass to the half back was behind him and ended in a knock on.

Sheffield levelled the score when Scott Wheeldon went over untouched under the cross bar, leaving Owens a simple conversion.

Greenwood’s cameo at hooker looked to have been a very successful one, as he forced his way over from dummy half, and with the referee looking certain to award it he called held up over the line on the advice of the touch judge.

A goal-line drop-out was denied when Yates was called offside chasing a grubber, despite the kick coming from Case at dummy half.

With seven minutes remaining Yates had a chance to edge Hornets in front, however he couldn’t keep his perfect record as he dragged a penalty goal wide.

A minute later Palfrey hit the post with a field goal attempt.

Gavin Bennion was held up over the line as the tension rose in the latter stages.

Sheffield’s break came as a Yates grubber was charged down into Perry Whiteley’s path; he looked certain to score a breakaway try but prop-forward Bennion hauled him down 30 metres short.

From the next play the scrambling Hornets defence couldn’t prevent Yere scoring on the opposite edge, and the Hornets players hit the deck in despair.

A knock on gave Hornets a chance of a late winner, but the referee refused to call time off and as the hooter sounded Sheffield hung on for victory.

Sheffield Eagles: Ryan Millar, Garry Lo, Menzie Yere, Perry Whiteley, Paddy Flynn, Jack Owens, Elliot Minchella, Scott Wheeldon, Matty Fozard, Matt James, Liam Johnson, Duane Straugheir, George Milton. Subs: Liam Cooper, Kyle Trout, Jonah Cunningham, Sam Scott
Tries: Fozard, Lo, Owens, Wheeldon, Yere
Goals: Owens (3)

Rochdale Hornets: Dec Kay, Jack Holmes, Jake Eccleston, Lewis Galbraith, Kevin Penny, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Jo Taira, Ryan Maneely, Lewis Hatton, Josh Crowley, Lee Mitchell, Jordan Case. Subs: Chris Riley, Gavin Bennion, Matty Hadden, Miles Greenwood
Tries: Penny, Hadden, Holmes
Goals: Yates (5)