Hat-trick hero Hanley in Crusaders win

Rochdale Hornets returned to winning ways with a 32-18 win over North Wales Crusaders at the Crown Oil Arena.

Debutant Umyla Hanley scored a hat-trick in a six try victory as Hornets recorded their first home league win of the season.

Further tries from Joe Purcell and a second-half Lewis Else double, ensured Hornets claimed the two points to keep Crusaders winless. 

Hornets started emphatically in the Greater Manchester sunshine, as Purcell side-stepped his way through a gap to open the scoring on his return from injury. Dave Hewitt added the extras from the tee. 6-0, 3 minutes. 

North Wales responded inside 10 minutes when Patrick Rainford bundled his way over after taking advantage of a set-reset 20m out. Con missed. 6-4, 8 minutes.

Crusaders then took the lead shortly after when play was worked quickly out to the right wing where Joshua Hughes-Lynch was in space to touch down. Con missed. 6-8, 17 minutes.

Hornets weren’t behind for long though as they regained the lead five minutes later when Hanley, who signed on a short-term loan deal from Leigh Leopards during the week, drove over from close range. Hewitt added the extras with another fantastic kick. 12-8, 22 minutes.

An end-to-end encounter had unfolded at the Crown Oil Arena, and the visitors looked to have crossed once more in the wide area, however, Jack Arnold was well placed to halt the attack.

Hornets almost extended their lead when Hanley broke the Crusaders line before passing inside to Hewitt, who offloaded to Nick Rawsthorne in space. The former Super League centre, who joined on-loan from Halifax Panthers in the week, thought he had a debut try, however, he was denied mid-air in his attempt to ground the ball.

A third try came before the interval after play was swiftly moved out wide to Hanley, who was able to accelerate free to claim his second score. Hewitt’s touchline kick hit the post. 16-8, 37 minutes. 

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 16-8 North Wales Crusaders

Crusaders arrived in Rochdale looking to win their first league match of the season, after losing all five previously. They reduced the points difference three minutes after the restart when Rob Massam barged over in the corner. Con missed. 16-12, 43 minutes.

From then on though, Hornets took control. Else, who scored a double in Hornets' defeat to Workington Town last time out, was on the scoresheet again when Cian Tyrer's kick over the top bounced kindly into the stand-off's hands to touch down. Hewitt kicked the extras. 22-12, 52 minutes. 

Else added his second five minutes later when he arrived at the right time to collect an offload to score, after Hanley and Purcell had combined well to take Hornets into dangerous territory. Hewitt made no mistake with the kick once more, to widen the lead. 28-12, 57 minutes. 

The visitors reduced the points difference to 10 when Jack Houghton dived over beneath the posts, and Danny Moss kicked the extras for the first time in the match. 28-18, 65 minutes. 

Hanley completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes when he side-stepped his way through the North Wales defence after being set-up by Else. Con missed, 32-18. 

Despite Arnold being shown a yellow card in the closing stages, Hornets stood firm in defence to maintain their 14 point lead to the final whistle. 

Full time: Rochdale Hornets 32-18 North Wales Crusaders

Rochdale starting line-up: Purcell, Tyrer, Hanley, Rawsthorne, Nixon, Else, Hewitt, Arnold, Roden, Killan, Brewin, Forster, Ratcliffe

Interchanges: Berry, Jones, O’Hanlon, Spencer-Tonks. 18^th man: Brannan

Tries: Purcell, Hanley (x3), Else (x2)

Goals: Hewitt 4/6

Goals: Man of the match - chosen by the main matchday sponsor Old Rochdalians: Umyla Hanley