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Rochdale Hornets 38 Blackpool Panthers 8

Mike Floyd
4/ 8/2008

HORNETS made it three wins in seven days with a comfortable against Blackpool Panthers at Fylde Rugby Club on Sunday.

And, although they weren't as sharp as they had been against Barrow Raiders and Doncaster, they had enough in their armoury to see off a disappointing Blackpool side, who had Andy Sands red-carded in the second minute of the match.

Hornets took time to settle but with 19 minutes gone fullback Chris Giles slipped through a gap to score. Dave Cunliffe then powered his way over for a brace of tries and three conversions by Carl Sneyd gave them an 18-0 lead.

Blackpool scored a try either side of the break - Chris Mayberry and Jonny Leather the scorers - to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

But Hornets sprang into life with some flowing rugby and Leroy Rivett, Martin Ainscough, Sneyd and Paul Rolls crossed for tries. Sneyd tagged on two more conversions to confirm a well-deserved win for the visitors.

Match Stats

HORNETS: Giles, Rivett, Sneyd, Butterworth, Andrews, Ainscough, Rolls, Best, Corcoran, Robinson, Muir, Sinfield, Brocklehurst. Subs (all used): Billings, Samuels, Cunliffe, Newton. Tries: Giles, Cunliffe 2, Rivett, Ainscough, Sneyd, Rolls. Goals: Sneyd 5.

BLACKPOOL PANTHERS: Leather, Gillam, Munro, Mayberry, Kilgallon, Svabic, Keaveney, Sands, Roden, Fairhurst, Kay, Llewellyn, Clough. Subs (all used): Tunstead, Boland, Barton, Warriner. Tries: Mayberry, Leather.Referee: C Halloran (Batley)

Penalties: 8-6

Half time: 4-18

Attendance: 300

Sin-bins: Munro, Rolls

Sent off: Andy Sands.