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Rochdale Hornets Reserves 36 Leigh Reserves 16

22/ 3/2008

IT WAS a victory for brains over brawn for Hornets second string at Castleton Sports Centre on Wednesday as they saw off a physical challenge from Leigh Centurions.

Prompted by half backs Chris Forster and Michael Brown, the home team gave an impressive display of skilful, attacking and entertaining rugby, anchored by some sterling defence.

Leigh came roaring out of the blocks but were knocked back in the fourth minute when Danny Samuels showed great strength to crash over the line.

Six minutes later it was more of the same as hooker Todd O’Brien powered his way over from close range. Forster converted.

Hornets were in full flight and Forster, who kicked well throughout, launched a high kick towards the right hand corner. Winger Andy Gorey plucked the ball from the air and whipped an inside pass to Craig Highton to score.

Leigh hit back on the stroke of half time. Dean Hatton seized on a deft grubber from Ryan Powell to touch down.

The visitors narrowed the gap further in the first minute of the second half when Graham Smith broke through the middle and Ian Mort was on hand to take the pass and score a try which he then converted.

Hornets were unbowed and Eric Andrews took advantage of a fortunate bounce from another Forster kick to score in the corner.

Andrews was again to the fore when he took a quick tap penalty and headed for the line. He was hauled down just short, but as the Leigh defence regrouped Forster dummied and stepped his way to the line. Forster added the extras.

The visitors gave themselves a lifeline when Kyle Neal bulldozed his way over for a try converted by Mort.

It was the signal for the hosts to again up their game with a flowing move, and a flick pass by Tucker sent Andrews in for his second. Forster slotted over the conversion from wide out.

With five minutes to go an incident involving Hornets’ prop Danny Knight and Leigh hooker Liam Grundy saw them both sent off.

Hornets had the final say as, after good work by Eric Johnson, O’Brien dived in for a try. Forster tagged on the two.

HORNETS reserves play their first league game against Workington on 29 March, at Blackburn Rugby Union Club, Ramsgreave Avenue, Blackburn. The match kicks off at 1.30pm.