Rochdale Hornets 12 - 36 Dewsbury Rams

Match report by Ossy

Some interesting decisions on the team sheet this week. Chris Hall at full back, Sid Domic making his debut at centre, Pat Walker at stand off and Josh Weeden back at loose forward after his injury.

Given the importance of this game to both sides, it was important we got off to a good start, and we did. After being awarded an easy penalty after only 4 minutes, Rams elected to run the ball, and found space on the left for Dominic Maloney to charge over. Liam Finn added the conversion, 6 – 0 to The Rams.

The defence was always likely to be key to this win, and it showed early. A big hit from Andy Hobson caused Rochdale to spill the ball on their own 20m line, and from the resulting scrum Chris Hall went over on the left. Liam Finn’s excellent conversion saw The Rams up by 12 points and the game only 8 minutes old.

They continued to apply the pressure, and 6 minutes later it was Alex Bretherton driving over for their third try. Again Liam Finn added the conversion and, at this point there was only one side in the game. On the twenty minute mark, good passing sent Sid Domic skipping past two defenders and round behind the posts for his first try in the Red, Amber and Black, and Finn’s conversion stretched the lead to 24 – 0.

Excellent attacking play had put The Rams in control, but it was defence that kept them there. Hornets hardly had a look in during the first half. It was hardly a surprise when more good passing sent Martin Robinson racing through a gap in the Hornets’ defence to go over for his first try of the game. Finn’s goal maintained his 100% record on the night and half time was reached with The Rams in control at 30 – 0.

The second half was slightly disappointing, given what we’d been served up in the first 40 minutes. Credit Rochdale for that. They came at us with more spirit, though The Rams defence remained as solid as I’ve seen it all season.

It was hardly a surprise though when Scrum half Phil Hasty went over under the posts for The Hornets, and Wayne Corcoran added the conversion after 15 minutes. But The Rams remained solid, and always looked likely to add to their score, which they did after 25 minutes, Martin Robinson going over for his second try of the night. Again Liam Finn converted the try, and the lead was back to 30 points.

Right at the end of the game, Craig Robinson went over for The Hornets, and Mick McCully added the two points for a final score of 36 – 12 to The Rams, and a welcome 3 points to maintain 6th place in the League.

Given the problems both Rochdale and Doncaster seem to be experiencing at the moment, it should be enough to assure our place in NL1 next season. Now it’s a matter of securing a play off place.

For me M.O.M. would go to Martin Robinson for his two tries, and ‘never say die’ approach on the pitch, though Pat Walker, and Chris Hall ran him close. The forwards were impressive, with Dean Lawford and Josh Weeden knitting things together nicely, the latter looking as though he’d never been away. Sid Domic had an impressive debut, and I’m sure he’ll prove the worth of his signing in the final 6 games (at least).

Attendance 825

Team :-

1. Chris Hall
2. Bryn Powell
3. Sid Domic
4. Danny Maun
5. Austin Buchanan
6. Pat Walker
7. Dean Lawford
8. Andy Hobson
9. Liam Finn
10. Dominic Maloney
11. Martin Robinson
12. Alex Bretherton
13. Josh Weeden
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14. Francis Maloney
15. Kevin Crouthers
16. Joe Helme
17. Jason Southwell

Tries: D Maloney, Hall, Bretherton, Domic, Robinson (2)
Goals: Finn (6/6)