Rugby League: Rochdale Hornets 10 - 24 Warrington Wolves

Date published: 15 January 2018

Rochdale Hornets showed a huge improvement from their Law Cup defeat as they took on Warrington Wolves in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon, although the Super League side came out on top.

Despite the defeat, Hornets matched their opponents for large periods even though they only had one recognised half-back on the field.

Danny Yates took on the responsibility of leading the team around the field and stood up to the task well, causing problems with ball in hand and kicking well throughout.

Second rower Dave Allen was called upon as stand-off, stepping in with Lewis Palfrey unavailable.

Rob Massam returned for his first appearance of 2018, while coach Alan Kilshaw handed a start to trialist Deon Cross - in the centres - and he put in a solid performance.

The afternoon started well for Hornets as Matty Hadden opened the scoring after just four minutes. The front rower crashed onto a flat ball to slam down over the whitewash. Yates added the extras.

Wolves replied through Luis Johnson, he was put through a hole in the defence by Morgan Smith with a clever pass at the line. Bryson Goodwin with the conversion.

Yates’ kicking game was causing headaches Wolves, leading to Jack Hughes leaving a late hit on the half back which resulted in the Warrington man being sin binned.

Hornets took full advantage and from the next set Ryan Maneely put his side back in front, as he burrowed his way over from dummy half for an unconverted try.

The lead did not last; Wolves regained the kick-off and made Hornets pay with the help of a mistake from Declan Kay. The full back tried to race onto a difficult kick but could only spill it into the path of Harvey Livett who crossed for a simple score. Improved by the boot of Goodwin.

The first half ended with another Warrington sin binning - Ben Westwood forced to sit out 10 minutes for dissent having disagreed with his try being chalked off for double movement.

Wolves had Hornets pressure in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Desperate defence from Lee Mitchell and Massam denied Wolves before they finally found a way over the try line through George King, who was in support of his brother Toby’s break. Goodwin was on target with the conversion.

In the final quarter of the match Hornets coach Kilshaw introduced some youngsters to the contest. Dec Gregory impressed with some clever runs from dummy half, while Blake Turner came up with some big hits in defence.

Yates almost started a Hornets fight back on 69 minutes when he plucked a Warrington pass out of the air to race away, however the retreating defence halted his attempt to go the full length.

With five minutes remaining the Super League side rounded off the scoring when they put the ball through hands to give Taylor Prell a walk-in try on the left edge. Goodwin kept his 100% record with the boot.

Rochdale Hornets: Declan Kay, Alex Gaskell, Deon Cross, Earl Hurst, Rob Massam, Dave Allen, Danny Yates, Jo Taira, Ben Moores, Matty Hadden, Lee Mitchell, Gary Middlehurst, Luke Adamson. Subs: Ryan Maneely, Lewis Hatton, Toby Adamson, Blake Turner, Billy Brickhill, Declan Gregory.

Warrington Wolves: Jack Johnson, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Toby King, Matty Russell, Harvey Livett, Morgan Smith, Joe Philbin, Daryl Clark, George King, Luis Johnson, Jack Hughes, Ben Westwood. Subs: Joe Pilling, Bradley Pinder, Mitch Brown, Taylor Prell, Patrick Moran.

Photos: Jackie Meredith