Report: Newcastle Thunder 0-60 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets were comprehensive 60-0 winners against Newcastle Thunder in the latest round of Betfred League 1 action.

After another week off following the club’s tight defeat away to Midlands Hurricanes, the Hornets travelled to Blaydon knowing that a win was much needed if they wanted to continue their bid for a top-four spot. 

The away side were without captain Duane Straugheir, half-back Jack Miller, centre Myles Harrop and forward Ben Killan, but Martin Ridyard did return to the squad after a lengthy injury lay-off, with a debut also handed to on-loan Wigan Warriors front-rower Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock with their first set of the match. A fast passing move was finished off by Lewis Else in the corner, with Max Flanagan converting.

The Hornets extended their lead to 10 points after 15 minutes, with Tom Ashton bulldozing his way over the line from close range. 

Newcastle grew into the game and gained another repeat set in the Hornets half soon after the restart. A deft grubber kick forced a drop-out, but they couldn’t turn the field position into points as the Rochdale defence stood firm.

With around 15 minutes to go until the break, they were in once more as a low kick from Ben Will was pounced upon by Else for his second try.

Despite the scoreline, the home side continued to apply some pressure and forced another drop-out from a kick. From the resulting set, Jack Potter and Bradley Ward did well to keep the ball alive, but it was eventually plucked out by Hornets outside back Will, who went the distance to score. 

Two minutes later and they were in again, Morgan Punchard crashing over underneath the sticks to give Flanagan the easiest of conversions to make it 26-0.

Right on half-time, Gary Thornton’s side hit the 30-point mark as Dan Nixon rose above the Thunder defence to latch onto the end of a cross-field kick to touch down.

The second half got underway with the home side showing more attacking intent. A kick forward was gathered by Alexander Donaghy, but good defensive work dragged him into touch.

The Thunder defence was resolute in the face of strong pressure soon after, but eventually it did crack when Else fought his way through a tackle to claim his hat-trick. 

Flanagan added the extras, and moments later Luke Forber batted a high ball into the path of Will for his second try of the day to make it 40-0.

Soon after, they were in once more as Flanagan exploited a gap in the defence to touch down. 

He had his second within a matter of minutes thanks to an inside pass from Forber. The returning Ridyard took the conversion to bring up the half-century.

Jordan Andrade then went on a barnstorming run to add his name to the scoresheet with Ridyard converting. 

Forber grabbed a try right on the hooter as he picked up a long kick, and Ridyard’s missed conversion attempt meant the game finished 60-0.

Newcastle Thunder: Farrar, Bradley, Ward, Dickinson, Croston, Donaghy, Potter, Price, Siddle, Gibson, Birch, Weetman, Walton. Subs: Lintin, Handy, Richardson, Lowery.

Tries:

Goals:

Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Nixon, Darbyshire, Ashton, Will, Punchard, Else, Dayes, Whitmore, Nelmes, Kelly-Duffy, D.Simpson, Emmerson Whittel. Subs: Forber, Ridyard, Andrade, E.Simpson.

Tries: Else (3), Will (2), Flanagan (2), Punchard, Nixon, Andrade, Forber

Goals: Flanagan (4), Ridyard (2)