Rochdale Hornets 68 - 4 Newcastle Thunder

Date published: 17 April 2024

Hornets had a dream start to their game against Newcastle Thunder on Sunday 14 April. Just over a minute in, a floated kick from Ridyard was fumbled by the Newcastle defence and dual-registration winger Blackmore picked the ball up and dove over for his first of the afternoon, Ridyard adding the extras.

Things got better for the Hornets, as they went back to back. Else picked up the ball and danced through the defence with ease. Ridyard again made no error putting Rochdale at a 12 point lead after four minutes.

Else got his second of the day after eight minutes with a fantastic try. 30m on the last tackle he received the pass, looked for a kick, dummied a huge pass and ran round the defence once again. Ridyard put the kick wide.

Newcastle had a go at a response, but some fantastic defence from Juma and Forster forced a knock on, however Hornets couldn’t capitalise on the error, knocking on themselves in the attack.

Forber got over on the left hand side in the 17th minute, a lovely run showing his pace. Ridyard this time made no error; the kick struck the post but went over.

Hornets went back to back again courtesy of Joe Hartley, a great try in the corner, Ridyard kicked the goal once again.

Newcastle had a successful 40/20 attempt and had a real attacking chance but they couldn’t capitalise.

The resulting Hornets set saw Blackmore go over for his second try, an inch perfect kick into his hands from Ridyard and again just minutes after Blackmore got his hattrick but the conversion attempt struck the post.

Newcastle got over for their only try of the afternoon before the hooter, a lack of defence on the right hand side saw Birch power over leaving the score 38-4 at half time.

Hornets started the second half with a bang, Forber danced through for his second of the afternoon and Ridyard made no mistake with the kick.

Forber got over for his third try, in the 48th minute but knocked on in the process. However, the set after Ratcliffe received a great pass allowing him to power through a gap in the defence to get over leaving the score at 50-4 after 50 minutes.

Ridyard kicked a lovely 40/20 gaining some attacking territory, and Hornets crashed over , Lewis Else getting his hattrick as a result of Ridyard’s 40/20.

Newcastle never gave up attacking, but the Hornets defence kept them scoreless for the second forty.

The last 15 minutes of the game saw Hartley grab his second try, and a lovely pass from Forster put Killan through under the posts leaving the score at 68-4 after the conversions.

Newcastle had four back to back six again on the Hornets line in the closing minutes but they stayed defensively strong and didn’t allow Newcastle a consolation try.

Full time Hornets 68 - 4 Newcastle Thunder

Tries: Blackmore 3, Else 3, Hartley 2, Forber 2, Ratcliffe, Killan

Goals: Ridyard 10/12