SEVEN HEAVEN FOR HORNETS IN CHALLENGE CUP

Rochdale Hornets progressed to Round Three of the Challenge Cup with an emphatic 42-4 win over London Skolars at the Crown Oil Arena.

Dave Hewitt scored 18 points – a try and seven goals – as Hornets marked their return to competitive action with a seven try win over fellow League 1 opposition.

Will Cooke crossed twice, along with tries from Joe Purcell, Ben O'Keefe, Lewis Else and Ben Killan,

Despite dominating proceedings, London started the stronger and opened scoring inside 10 minutes when Leighton Ball dived over in the corner after the ball bounced kindly for the visitors on the final tackle. Con missed. 0-4, 8 minutes.

Hornets responded instantly and took the lead when Cooke forced his way through after play was worked neatly along the line. Hewitt added the extras with a fantastic touchline kick. 6-8, 12 minutes.

From the restart Dan Nixon claimed mid-air before making 20m with a driving run. Cian Tyrer took Hornets into dangerous territory after breaking the line, before Purcell side-stepped his way through a gap to score. Hewitt was successful again from the tee. 12-4, 17 minutes.

London asked questions of Hornets with multiple visits in the 22, however, on each occasion the defensive line stood firm to hold up and keep Skolars out.

Rochdale added a third on the half hour, this time O’Keefe dived over in the corner after sprinting clear following tidy combinations between the backs. Hewitt continued his 100 per cent record from the tee with an excellent touchline kick. 18-4, 30 minutes.  

Hornets had found their rhythm and a fourth try was scored in the closing minutes of the first half. Tyrer broke clear before offloading to Hewitt who stepped back inside to set up Else to run in. Hewitt made no mistake in adding the extras out wide. 24-4, 38 minutes.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 24-4 London Skolars

Gary Thornton's men continued their momentum after the restart, and were unfortunate not to add a fifth within two minutes. The backs combined once more and Tyrer’s grubber kick through was almost touched down by Duane Straugheir, however, the ball bounced out of play.  

Hornets continued to apply pressure and minutes after Jack Arnold was held up and after a pick-and-go, Hewitt forced his way over for a fifth before adding the extras. 30-4, 52 minutes.

Rochdale were in full control and after a powerful charge by Ethan O’Hanlon, the ball was fizzed out to the left where Cooke was to cross for his second of the afternoon. No matter the kicking position, Hewitt converted – this time he nailed his touchline effort to perfection. 36-4, 55 minutes.

London’s frustrations grew and with it came multiple penalties inside the 22m. A late hit on Aiden Roden led to a coming together between both sides, with Arnold and Jerome Yates being sent to the bin for their involvement. 65 minutes.

Hornets rounded off the afternoon by adding a seventh try with six minutes to go when Killan smashed his way through from 10m after a tap-and go. Hewiit maintained his 100 per cent record from the tee to cap off a man of the match performance - as voted by matchday sponsors, Engaging Safety.

Full time: Rochdale Hornets 42-4 London Skolars

Rochdale Hornets starting line-up: Joe Purcell, Cian Tyrer, Will Cooke, Ben O’Keefe, Dan Nixon, Lewis Else, Dave Hewitt, Zac Braham, Cameron Berry, Ben Killan, Duane Straugheir [C], Dan Brewin, AJ Boardman

Interchanges: Aiden Roden, Jack Arnold, Ewan Badham, Ethan O’Hanlon, Toby Brannan [18^th man]

Tries: Cooke (x2), Purcell, O’Keefe, Else, Hewitt, Killan

Goals: Hewitt (x7)

Man of the Match: Dave Hewitt