Match Preview: Midlands Hurricanes vs Rochdale Hornets (Home)
After an opening victory of their Betfred League One campaign against Cornwall , the Hurricanes will look to maintain their home record at their new home of Birmingham's Alexander Stadium this Sunday against Rochdale Hornets (kick off 3pm ) .
A crowd of over 400 watched a comprehensive 40-6 victory for the Canes last month and for Midlands Winger Hayden Freeman , it was a proud but more than a little frustrating afternoon .
The Club’s longest serving player and it’s record try scorer who made his 1st team debut back in 2018 as an 18 year old straight from the original Hurricanes Youth RL Academy side sits agonizingly one game short of breaking the club appearance record ,currently held by Chris Barrett . Passing that milestone will have to wait just a little longer for Freeman after an operation to mend a long standing thumb injury has seen him sit out the start of the season, including the Cornwall win , but he can’t wait to get back to the action in the Hurricanes new home .
’Hopefully I will be back in in the next couple of weeks and I’m excited for us to be based at the
Stadium ! The Alexander is a well-known venue around Birmingham so it’s a privilege to get to
play there, especially considering the building works that have happened to it in recent years
and for the Commonwealth Games.
The Games were a massive success with the Stadium being a major attraction after being in the spotlight as the event’s primary venue .’he commented ‘We’ve had record season-ticket sales at the Hurricanes this year , off the back of that already which is incredible. It really highlightsthe impact moving to this location will have in growing the sport locally and around the Midlands. ‘
The move to Alexander was the focus of a recent report on the Midlands Tonight News show
with Hayden and Club CEO Greg Wood interviewed live and for the winger ‘if you watched it
you will all know I really can’t wait to get out there.. Really ,really can’t wait to get out there. !!
We’ve had some great feedback local from it and all I would say to any potential new fans
thinking about coming down - do it ! The club is very welcoming and has a friendly
atmosphere, new faces are very much welcome and wanted. I’m confident that after watching
one game, you would be looking to come back and be a fan of the sport. ‘
‘On the playing side there’s a good buzz around the squad this year. We’re all looking to prove a point and tilt some close results from last year in our favour. I think the favourites will be Doncaster and Dewsbury from looking at their signings and early form , however every team has been signing well so it will certainly be a much tighter league this year. We’ve brought in some new faces and a few familiars one back to the club , I’m looking forward to seeing my mate Dan Coates on the field again, it will also be a big season for his back rows
making all the tackles for him. !!!!”
Looking back at the league opening game Hayden said ‘It was a good solid opener for us .I’m a massive fan of Cornwall and what they’re doing, much like the Hurricanes they will be leading the way in growing the sport down South. They’ve already have a good following which will only get bigger once the results come their way.’
For Sunday’s game against the Hornets Freeman will again be a frustrated spectator but knows that his return is getting closer ‘ I can’t wait to get back on the field and back in the Squad - Steady (Ben ) broke my ( points total) scoring record last season and I was hoping to catch him up again this season but it's probably going to be a bit before I’m back and hopefully adding a few more points.By that time, I’ll have to take the kicking duties off him if I’m going to be able to catch him. I’m aiming to take the record back, but the competition is good between us ! ‘
Cheers Hayden and all the best in your rehab / recovery !!!
MIDLANDS HURRICANES v ROCHDALE HORNETS
Sunday March 19th
Kick off 3pm
Alexander Stadium B42 2LR
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