REPORTER Sarah Tarpey took in her first Hornets match at Spotland this weekend where the Rochdale outfit secured a welcome win. Here's how Sarah saw the game unfold...

HORNETS recorded a much needed victory against Workington Town on Sunday where poor defences made for an exciting and high scoring game.

After a recent run of bad weather the sun came out and with just a slight breeze around the conditions were ideal for the match. Hornet's new recruits Kyle Neale and Paul Rolls both got starts. Rolls was making his debut after his move from Rochdale Mayfield where the Australian had an outstanding last season. Neale was starting his second game for the home side continuing his loan spell from Leigh Centurions.

Rochdale started brightly and soon got off the mark with two tries in quick succession. Chris Campbell was the first to go over the line after just four minutes with Carl Sneyd converting to put Hornets 6-0. Workington couldn't cope with Rochdale's sustained pressure as Neale scored his first try for the team. Again Sneyd converted and Rochdale were in the driving seat early on.

Workington managed to build up some momemtum of their own and helped by some poor defending got themselves back into the match. Carl Forber crossed the line on 14 minutes and then converted to get Town off the mark. The away side then let Hornets back into the match by giving away a penalty from which Sneyd scored to make it 14-6.

Hornets' penalty goal seemed to give Workington the boost they needed as the side took control of the match. Town continuously played through the middle of the Hornet's side where they looked weak defensively. Martyn Wilson scored for Workington while they were on top after 30 minutes.

Although no conversion was made of Wilson's try Workington soon had more points on the board when Mark McCully scored their third try of the game. This time Forber did convert and the score went to 14-16 in favour of Town. Hornets managed to creep back in front just before half-time through a Craig Robinson try, meaning the side went into the break 18-16 up.

The start of the second-half followed the pattern of the first with two fast tries from Rochdale. It didn't help Workington being a man down with Dexter Miller starting the half in the sin bin after committing a professional foul during a Rochdale break. Alex Brown got his first try of the match on 40 minutes but a second conversion miss for Sneyd meant Hornets were still not in a comfortable lead. Ian Sinfield crossed the line in the 44th minute and Sneyd this time converted before he went over himself on 47 minutes and converted to put Rochdale in a 34-16 lead.

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time by the Workington coach had not worked and the team fell further behind unable to handle Hornet's pacey attackers. David Cunliffe scored Hornet's seventh try of the match in the 50th minute and Sneyd got his fifth conversion of the game. Brown then grabbed his well deserved second try three minutes later as Rochdale began to run away with the match, leading 44-16.

In yet another twist to this thrilling game Workington got back on top due to some sloppy play from Rochdale. Franco Kmet started Town's comeback on 63 minutes when he got his first try of the game with Forber converting. Dexter Miller came back from his time in the sin bin to score Workington's fifth try of the game, the try was followed by another successful conversion from Forber to get Workington back to a 44-28 defecit.

Workington's last try of the match came from Chris Young in the 70th minute with Forber getting his fifth conversion. But at 44-34 down after 70 minutes it was crucial for Workington not to let Hornets score which the away side failed to do.

Man of the match David Best powered his way over the line on the 74th minute for Rochdale before Eric Andrews intercepted a loose pass from Workington on the half way and ran clear to score his first try of the match in the final minute of play. Sneyd converted what was a fitting end to an entertaining game.

Although Hornets will be delighted with the 54-34 win the team are sure to be disappointed with the way they defended and it will need addressing before their next game away to Gateshead Thunder on Sunday 20 July.