Report: Rochdale Hornets 44-0 Keighley Cougars

Rochdale Hornets got their 2025 league campaign underway with a well-deserved 44-0 win over Keighley Cougars at the Crown Oil Arena.

Having won back-to-back games against Cornwall and Swinton Lions in the 1895 Cup, the Hornets were looking to get their Betfred League 1 campaign off to a flying start and they certainly did, being inspired by a Luke Forber hat-trick.

It was Forber who got the Hornets scoring underway in the seventh minute when the hosts capitalised on a poor attacking set from the Cougars. After forcing them out of play, quick hands saw Forber dive over in the corner to make it 4-0. 

Momentum continued to swing in the Hornets’ favour early on, with Myles Harrop going over after some quick thinking to touch down next to the posts, with Max Flanagan kicking the extra two points on offer. 

Gary Thornton's side continued to build pressure, and with five minutes of the half to go, Forber got on the scoresheet once again, intercepting a kick and running the full length of the pitch, much to the excitement of the home crowd. 

It took just 10 minutes of the second half for the Hornets to find the try line once again, on the back of a Cougars knock-on within 10 metres of their own try line. Jordan Andrade bundled his way over from close range to make it 22-0. 

Shortly before the hour mark, Forber completed his hat-trick with a diving effort in the far corner.

The points kept on coming for Thornton's side, full-back Greg McNally scoring from acting half-back to make it 32-0, with Flanagan adding the extras. 

Deane Meadows and Duane Straugheir scored back-to-back tries to further extend the hosts lead in the latter stages, sealing an impressive 44-0 win for the Hornets. 

Up next is a trip to Boundary Park to face rivals Oldham in the first round proper of the 1895 Cup. 

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Juma, Will, Harrop, Forber, Flanagan, Else, Dayes, Punchard, Nelmes, Baker, Straugheir, Whittel. Subs: Burton, Meadows, Andrade, Killan.

Tries: Forber 3, Harrop, Andrade, McNally, Meadows, Straugheir

Goals: Flanagan 6/8

Keighley Cougars: Pickersgill, Whitford, Smith, Sa’u, Holdoyd, Farrell, Sammut, Hatton, Bowes, McKler, Ryder, Lanskey, Parker. Subs: Aliyu, Green, Schofield, Cousins.

Tries:

Goals: