MATCH PREVIEW: VS OLDHAM RLFC – LEAGUE 1

Rochdale Hornets travel to the Vestacare Stadium on Good Friday to face local rivals Oldham RLFC

Hornets will be aiming to get back to winning ways and pick up two points at neighbours Oldham, while continuing their impressive league record over the Roughyeds. 

OVERVIEW 

Oldham RLFC v Rochdale Hornets

Competition: Betfred League 1

Date: Friday 7 April 2023

Kick-off: 7:30pm

Venue: Vestacare Stadium 

ROCHDALE HORNETS

Hornets suffered a 54-4 loss to league leaders Dewsbury Rams at the Crown Oil Arena last time out.

Cian Tyrer will be hoping to extend his try scoring streak, with the winger crossing in all three league appearances so far.

A victory for Gary Thornton’s side would see them move level on points with Oldham in the table, after Hornets have won one – against Midlands Hurricanes – and lost two in League 1 so far.

OLDHAM 

Stuart Littler’s side have had a positive start to the season, winning both their matches against London Skolars and North Wales Crusaders.

Oldham duo Jordan Paga – scored four tries in their win over Skolars – and former Super League scrum-half Martin Ridyard – third highest points scorer [24] – will be hoping to continue their impressive starts to the season. 

Roughyeds have named former Hornet Zac Baker in their initial 21-man squad, along with Wigan Warriors quartet Logan Astley, Jacob Douglas, Alex Sutton and Harvey Wilson - all who arrive as part of Oldham's dual-registration agreement with the Super League side. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Hornets faced Oldham three times in 2022 - twice in the regular season and once in the Elimination Play-Off - in which Hornets were victorious on all three occassions.

The last competitive derby between the two sides finished 38-24 in favour of Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena, in which current Hornets trio Tyrer, Connor Aspey and Ben Forster were amongst the tries scorers.  

Rochdale have not lost in the league at Oldham since 2015, however, the Roughyeds were victorious when the sides met for the annual pre-season Law Cup clash in January.  

TEAM NEWS

Head coach Thornton has included a quartet of new signings in his initial 21-man derby day squad. 

After re-signing for the club today on a two-week loan from Halifax Panthers, Forster goes straight into the squad alongside John Hutchings, who has signed permanently for Rochdale after a successful trial period. 

Thornton has also included duo Brad Holroyd and Will Tilleke, who have signed for the Hornets on two-week loans as part of the dual-registration agreement with Widnes Vikings. 

Hornets full 21-man squad: Arnold, Aspey, Berry, Braham, Brannan, Brewin, Else, Forber, Forster, Hewitt, Holroyd, Hutchings, Jones, Killan, Nixon, O'Hanlon, O'Keefe, Ratcliffe, Roden, Tilleke, Tyrer

TICKETING INFORMATION

Tickets for the derby can be purchased via the Oldham website here.

Admission prices as follows: £16 for adults, £10 for concessions, £5 for students and free for under-16’s. 

Oldham have advised supporters to purchase online in advance, to save disappointment of tickets not being available to buy on the gate.