Dewsbury Rams 24 - 36 Rochdale Hornets

Match report courtesy of Rugby Leaguer and League Express

Rochdale Hornets claimed their first victory of National League One in 2007 with a merciless performance over a desperate Dewsbury side, suffering with a long list of injuries to key players.

Hornets coach Darren Abram highlighted his side's great team spirit and outstanding defence.

"I feel we dominated on the pitch and withstood all the pressure from Maloney's boot when he put us under the cosh," said Abram.  "I'm proud of the lads and I hope this win can ignite our season."

Rochdale's intentions were evident from the beginning, sending wave after wave of attack pounding into the Dewsbury line, leading to three constant sets at the Rams' line.  It took a mere five minutes for this mountain of pressure to tell as Wayne Corcoran squeezed over from short distance to grab the lead.

The relentless pressure continued and frustration was flaring up, a huge nine penalties iin the first 20 minutes set a fiery tone, and coupled with the lightning tempo it gave 754 spectators a heated and exciting display of Rugby League.

Dewsbury were the next to score, and as against the run of play as it was, you must give them credit for taking the chance.  Francis Maloney dissected the defence with a delicately threaded grubber that Ian Preece latched on to over the line, which with Maloney's extras levelled the score.

Rochdale were still ruthlessly pressuring the Rams but an Alex Bretherton chargedown and fantastic offload allowed Francis Maloney to sprint 60 yards to score, totally contrasting the story of the game but still putting Dewsbury in front.

Two more Rochdale tries before the interval re-established their lead and secured their commanding position in the match, halfback Simon Svabic and loose forward Tommy Goulden both crossing to give their team the advantage going into the tunnel.

Francis Maloney kicked tremendously throughout and two 40/20's in the first ten minutes of the second half set the foundations for Preece and Liam Crawley to score and give the Rams a well-deserved lead.

Gamestar Kevin King turned the game around for his team.  His two bone-crunching, try saving tackles in the second half shifted the momentum and gave his side the possession and territory heading into the death.

Although they now trailed, Rochdale continued their onslaught and it finally paid off, a sumptuous hat-trick from King giving his side the decisive lead and a critical morale boost to push for their first victory of the season.

Corcoran fired the final nail into the Dewsbury coffin on the 77th minute with a well-taken try on the Rams right wing.  This was the same wing that four other vital tries had been scored on in the match, which is maybe something for Dewsbury to look at in the future.

A despondent Andy Kelly said: "The ten injuries we are suffering does have an impact on our game but the players who played today fell short of what I expect of them.  I'm very disappointed with the team."