MATCH REPORT: ROCHDALE HORNETS 44 HURRICANES 24

Hayden Freeman scores his 50th career try. Pic: Andy Shaw.

ROCHDALE HORNETS 44 MIDLANDS HURRICANES 24

DAVE MUSSON, Crown Oil Arena, Saturday 7 May 2022

HURRICANES head coach Rich Squires cursed his side’s inconsistency across eighty minutes, after returning empty-handed from another tough away game.

First half tries from Hayden Freeman, Jordan Bull, and Benn Hardcastle saw the Midlanders go into the half time break level with their heartland hosts.

But the Hornets pulled away in the second half, when the Hurricanes shipped 26 points and could add a Liam Welham to their own tally.

Squires said: “In parts we looked very dangerous and when we can do that for periods of time we cause teams danger.

“Unfortunately we are just not consistent enough and offer teams pressure releases which allows them an easy way out.

“We need to be more game smart but that comes with the team playing together more.”

After a scoreless opening ten minutes, the Hornets stung their visitors with two tries in quick succession. First, Cobi Green sent Ben Forster through the Midlands line, before taking the return pass to score under the sticks.

Then Cian Tyrer cleanly took a testing Green up-and-under to finish well.

Five minutes later, Hurricanes thought they had scored through Freeman, but the winger was judged to have been pushed into touch. However, the Brummie flyer was in moments later, touching down for his 50th professional career try - and eighth of this season - in the corner.

Eight minutes later the Hurricanes drew level for the first time, making the most of their hosts conceding a penalty for offside with Bull crashing over from close range.

Not long after that, Rochdale edged back in front through Dan Nixon, who was left with an easy run-in after a fine hand off from Paul Brearley.

But the Hurricanes hauled themselves level again shortly before the interval with Hardcastle performing what is becoming his trademark dummy and step to bag his eighth try of the season.

The second half, though, was almost all Rochdale, who kept the Hurricanes largely at bay while also proving clinical in attack, scoring five tries.

Quick tries from Brearley and the time-defying Fui Fui Moi Moi put them in control, and they continued to hammer the Hurricanes line.

But the Midlands side threatened another fightback with a quarter of an hour to play when Liam Welham exploited some sloppy Hornets defending to score for the second consecutive away game and pull his side within a score.

Liam Welham is congratulated by his team mates. Pic: Andy Shaw.

Unfortunately that was as close as they got, and tries in the final quarter from Gavin Bennion, a second from Tyrer, and a final flourish from Gregg McNally gave the hosts the win.

Next up for the Hurricanes is a bye week, followed by a return to action on Sunday 22 May with a trip to Keighley Cougars - kick off at 3pm.

Hayden Freeman about to score. Pic: Andy Shaw

Hurricanes Man of the Match: Liam Welham

HORNETS: McNally, Nixon, Calland, Ashton, Tyrer, Green, Sheridan, Killan, Roden, Rogers, Forster, Brearley, Bennion.
Subs (all used): Penkywicz, Aspey, Taira, Moi Moi

Tries: Green (9), Tyrer (12, 70), Nixon (33), Brearley (44), Moi Moi (48), Bennion (66), McNally (78)
Goals: Sheridan 6/8

HURRICANES: Scott, Lawton, M Welham, L Welham, Freeman, Stead, Hardcastle, Ryan, Sadler, Walton, Dawson, Bull, Bowring.
Subs (all used): Clavering, Newbound, Hall, Windley.

Tries: Freeman (20), Bull (28), Hardcastle (38), L Welham (63)
Goals: Hardcastle 4/4

Half time: 18-18

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 12-12, 18-12, 18-18, 24-18, 30-18, 30-24, 34-24, 40-24, 44-24.