Rochdale Hornets 33 - 28 Swinton Lions

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions
Josh Crowley scores a try for Hornets

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Rochdale Hornets came out on top as they fought hard for a victory over Swinton Lions.

There were yellow cards, disallowed tries, an eight point try, a field goal and even a late twist, but Hornets were celebrating as the full-time hooter sounded.

Hornets had to endure heartbreak in the previous meeting of the sides, with Chris Atkin landing a game winning drop-goal for Swinton on Easter Monday.

Hornets gained revenge though, and after a week of adversity off-the-field it was the perfect response.

Ryan Maneely and Jack Holmes made their return to the team in the place of Lewis Palfrey and Miles Greenwood, while Gary Middlehurst missed out due to a concussion, and Kevin Penny stepped in on dual registration.

Atkin opened the scoring for Swinton with a penalty goal.

Hornets hit back with a clever blind side play that saw Danny Yates cross for the opening try; Moores decided to run the ball from dummy half on the last tackle, and his number seven went over in support.

Back-to-back penalties ended with Atkin touching down for Swinton as he evaded the defence to score - Jono Smith’s challenge on the try scorer was judged to have been late. That led to heated scenes in which Smith and Josh Barlow were sin binned, the latter for taking exception to the tackle.

With Atkin making it an eight point try took the lead.

Jake Eccleston crossed the whitewash from a set play only to be denied for obstruction.

Mike Butt was denied a try for a forward pass but it was Butt who increased Swinton's lead as he chased down an Anthony Nicholson kick to the corner.

Joe Bretherton was sin-binned for dissent before Hornets dragged themselves back within four points, Ryan Maneely racing over for a six pointer.

Before the half -time break Butt was in again, this time he chased down Atkin’s kick to come up with a brilliant one-handed finish in the corner.

Still time before the break for Chris Riley to have a try chalked off for obstruction

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 12 - 20 Swinton Lions

Hornets dominated the second half starting with Josh Crowley strolling over after just five minutes of the restart; Penny broke through the heart of defence to go within 10 metres of the try line, with the score coming off the next play.

Yates’ penalty goal soon after levelled the scores before Hornets got themselves in front; Lewis Foster’s cross-field kick fell to Eccleston, and he planted the ball down on the white line.

It was a lead which only last two minutes though, as Butt raced into Hornets' half before being hauled down by Jo Taira. From the next play the impressive Jack Murphy raced in untouched past a stretched defence.

With two points in it Smith crossed the try line on the hour mark, proving too strong from close range.

Another Atkin’s penalty levelled the game at 28-28 with 11 minutes to play.

It was heart in mouth time for both sets of supporters for the remainder of the game.

Foster slotted a field-goal with six minutes to go.

From the kick-off Swinton went short and were handed a penalty for offside. Up stepped Atkin, looking to break Hornets hearts as he did earlier in the season, but he struck the post before the ball fell safely into Hornets’ possession.

Hornets went up the other end of the field, and when Foster’s last tackle kick was deflected into Rob Massam’s path, there was no stopping the Welsh winger from 30 metres out.

A missed conversion led to a nervy finish, but the Hornets saw out the contest and picked up a crucial two points to reclaim eighth spot.

Rochdale Hornets: Kevin Penny, Chris Riley, Jack Holmes, Jake Eccleston, Rob Massam, Lewis Foster, Danny Yates, Jo Taira, Ben Moores, Lee Mitchell, Lewis Hatton, Jono Smith, Anthony Walker Subs (all used): Ryan Maneely, Gavin Bennion, Matthew Hadden, Josh Crowley.
Tries: Yates, Maneely, Crowley, Eccleston, Smith, Massam.
Goals: Yates (4).
Field Goal: Foster.

Swinton Lions: Jack Murphy, Shaun Robinson, Chris Hankinson, Rhodri Lloyd, Mike Butt, Josh Woods, Chris Atkin, Andrew Bracek, Luke Waterworth, Josh Barlow, Nicholas Gregson, Adam Jones, Rob Lever Subs(all used): Joseph Bretherton, Liam Carberry, Anthony Nicholson, Oliver Davies.
Tries: Atkin, Butt (2), Murphy.
Goals: Atkin (6).

Referee: J Smith

Attendance: 745