Browse Sections

• Rochdale FC
• Rochdale Hornets
• Local football
• Local cricket

Rochdale Hornets 44 York City Knights 10

Mike Floyd
4/ 6/2008

WITH the sacking of coach Bobbie Goulding on Thursday, and new coach Darren Shaw having had only one training session with the players prior to Sunday’s game against York City Knights, few at Spotland knew quite what to expect.

Hornets were looking to end a seven-match losing streak, while the visitors were hoping to build on wins over Keighley Cougars and London Skolars.

Any doubts, though, as to the commitment of the Rochdale squad were answered in the opening 15 minutes as Hornets ran in two superb tries and showed defensive mettle which hadn’t been obvious in recent games.

The forwards ran straight and true and took the ball at pace. Support, when needed, was always on hand, and the completion rate was high.

This allowed halfbacks Martin Ainscough and Chris Hough time to show their undoubted talent, the latter enjoying his best ever game in Hornets’ colours.

Hough and Ainsough’s kicks kept the Knights on the back foot throughout, and when they chose to keep the ball in hand they were equally effective.

It was just what the doctor ordered and it was good to see a smile on the faces of the Hornets’ fans whose patience has been severely tested of late.

Hornets got off to the perfect start as Wayne Corcoran and Ainscough linked up beautifully to send Chris Campbell through. Sneyd converted.

It was, sadly, to be Corcoran’s last serious action of the match, as two minutes later he was helped from the field suffering from an ankle injury.

The home team continued to press and Ian Sinfield crossed. His try was rightly disallowed for a forward pass.

It was a temporary reprieve for the Knights as great work by Craig Farrimond, a worthy replacement for Corcoran, and Mark Brocklehurst put Campbell in at the corner.

York then enjoyed a purple patch but were unable to penetrate the home defence until Paul March launched a high kick towards the posts. Stand-off Danny Ratcliffe jumped the highest to take the ball and fall over the line to score. Ratcliffe tagged on the two.

Hornets gave the ideal response. One minute before the break Ainscough’s diagonal chip was spilled by Lee Mapals and Sneyd popped up to score.

Sneyd added the extras, and as the troops left the field the cry of ‘Hornets, Hornets’, which has been a rare commodity recently, reverberated around the ground.

Three minutes after the break a flowing move saw Sneyd flick the ball on to Alex Brown who picked it up off his toes and dived in to score.

From the next attack Ainscough’s short ball allowed Craig Robinson to crash through the defensive line and score. Sneyd converted.

York tried to get back into the game but Hornets, epitomised by Sinfield’s crunching tackle on the burly Scott Woodcock, stood firm.

When the hosts did break out, a moment of magic by Sam Butterworth saw his dance through the Knights’ rearguard, draw the fullback, and send Ainscough in for a well-deserved try. Sneyd tagged on the two.

The visitors pulled one back when Dave Buckley twisted his way over from close range, but it was a brief respite for the Knights.

Hornets again picked up the pace and Jonathan Muir, who signed a contract until the end of the season with the club on Saturday, galloped 50 metres to score. Fantastic! Sneyd made it a six-pointer.

In the 76th minute Hough confirmed his man of the match status with an astute chip to the corner. Campbell collected to complete his hat-trick.

With the hooter beckoning, Hornets were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks and timekeeper Ray Myers signalled to take the two. Sneyd obliged and Spotland celebrated a long-awaited win.

Match stats

HORNETS: Andrews, Brown, Brocklehurst, Sneyd, Campbell, Ainscough, Hough, Newton, O’Brien, Robinson, Muir, Sinfield, Corcoran. Subs: Butterworth, Marsh, Farrimond, Best.

Tries: Campbell (2, 12, 76), Sneyd (39), Brown (43), Robinson (46), Ainscough (54), Muir (70). Goals: Sneyd 6.

YORK CITY KNIGHTS: Spicer, Leeke, Oakes, Mapals, Lewis, Ratcliffe, March, Sullivan, Hughes, Ekis, Divorty, Kelly, Buckley. Subs: Greenwood, Bailey, Applegarth, Woodcock.

Tries: Ratcliffe, Buckley Goals: Ratcliffe.

Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury)

Penalties: 5-10

Half time: 16-6

Attendance: 423.