Rugby League: Rochdale Hornets 54 - 10 York Acorn

Sam Freeman

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Rochdale Hornets progressed to the fourth round of the Coral Challenge Cup following a professional display over York Acorn at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday (16 February).

Sam Freeman, the Hornets full-back, was the star of the show, scoring two tries and converting every offered kick.

By the half time hooter, Hornets had pulled out a 30-0 lead, thanks to tries from Freeman (2), Jamie Tracey, Lewis Sheridan and Dale Bloomfield.

The second half began with a period of sustained pressure from York, but it was Hornets who extended their lead, thanks to Ben Calland and Shaun Ainscough, both again converted by Freeman as well as Adam Hesketh put the game well beyond doubt, all with the unswerving boot of Freeman to add the extras.

York though were not to be denied.

They scored the first of their two tries close to the 70th minute, with Tom Salter hugging the touchline to open their account, before Alex Hardcastle went in under the posts a couple of minutes later, this time the conversion by Astle Chiltern was good.

Rochdale hadn’t finished yet though and Jack Higginson scored to put the final points on a good day for the 'home' side.

After the game, Hornets coach Matt Calland said: “To be fair, York didn’t make it easy, they came to play and certainly looked like a side capable of causing an upset.

“They had some periods of possession, and we had to be at our best defensively for periods.”

The fourth round game between Hornets and the British Army will take place on Sunday (23 February) at the Crown Oil Arena, with a 3pm kick off.