Rugby League: Hornets to play Warrington Wolves in pre-season fixture

Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets second pre-season fixture has been agreed, they will take on partner club Warrington Wolves.

The fixture will take place at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 13 January, eight days before they welcome North Wales Crusaders.

It will be the second season in a row that the two teams have gone head-to-head in preparation for their competitive campaigns, as last time out a dramatic finish saw the Super League outfit snatched a late victory.

Jordan Cella, who was on trial with Hornets at the time, thought he had secured a famous win for the Championship side with his try six minutes from time to make it 22-18.

That was until Declan Kay raced in at the corner to touchdown with a diving finish as the hooter sounded, with Harvey Livett landing a touchline conversion to win it for Warrington with the final play of the game.

The Warrington match winner from that day will once again feature in this fixture, however this time he will be pulling on a Rochdale shirt this time out.

Kay completed a permanent transfer to the club after a successful loan spell at the end of the season, as did Lee Mitchell and Lewis Hatton, who also represented Warrington in that game.

Hornets’ top flight opponents are set to bring a strong, star studded line-up to the Crown Oil Arena for this friendly.

Interim CEO Steve Kerr feels this is brilliant for everyone involved with Rochdale.

“It is great to be able to welcome a Super League club of Warrington’s stature to The Crown Oil Arena, and it is testament to our fantastic partnership,” he commented.

“Fans were treated to a dramatic and entertaining contest last season, and I am sure the next instalment of this fixture will deliver another great game.

“The Wolves will have some star names on show, so it is a great opportunity for our supporters, players and staff.”