Report: Rochdale Hornets 18-54 Dewsbury Rams

Nine-try Dewsbury Rams came out on top in a fiery encounter against Rochdale Hornets to pick up their first league win since March.

The Hornets were unable to build on the positives of their 1895 Cup victory over Sheffield Eagles a week earlier as they were convincingly beaten 54-18 in Round 11.

Harry Sheridan kept his place in the team following an impressive try-scoring debut in the 1895 Cup, while George Roby came back into the 17 in place of Luke Waterworth. 

For Dewsbury, Luke Nelmes returned to his former club for the first time since departing at the end of the 2025 season.

The visitors found the first score of the game after just four minutes. After a set in front of the Hornets line, Louis Collinson exploited a gap to score, with Jacob Hookem swinging in the conversion.

Five minutes later, they had their second thanks to a length of the field run from Thomas Delaney who, despite a valiant chase from Max Flanagan, got over the line to score.

The home side posted their first points just before the quarter-hour mark thanks to Harry Sheridan, who finished a quick passing move in the corner.

Moments later, the scores were level as prop forward Jaden Dayes powered his way over underneath the posts, with Flanagan converting.

Dewsbury re-took the lead nine minutes later as Delaney crossed in the corner for his second.

The lead was extended in somewhat controversial fashion with 10 minutes left in the first half, after the visitors looked to be offside from a kick in the build-up to George Rayner’s try, with the winger pouncing on a loose ball to score.

Hookem added two more points to his tally and kept the scoreboard ticking for the rams on the stroke of half-time as he elected to take the two following a penalty inside the Rochdale half.

Things weren’t finished there though, as Dylan Kelly-Duffy was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle which meant Rochdale would start the second half a man light.

Dewsbury extended their lead to 14 points on the hooter as Danny Addy scored under the sticks.

Yellow cards soon became red 10 minutes into the second half, with Dewsbury’s Addy given his marching orders for violent conduct and Jamie Dallimore also sent off for his retaliation.

Gary Thornton’s side were back in the contest just before the hour mark after Bradley Graham was shown a yellow card, Max Flanagan making their advantage count and finding his way to the line before converting his own try.

However, it was the West Yorkshire club who stretched their advantage once more just moments later, as McShane got his second in the corner before Hookem continued his impressive kicking form for a 22-point lead, before another penalty goal made it 44-18.

Bradley O’Connor added his name to the scorers list as he spun his way around the defence to seal the deal for Paul March’s side, before Jack McShane capped off the afternoon two minutes from time with an easy finish in the corner to ensure the two points returned over the Pennines.

The search for a first league win since the end of March goes on, with a week off for Gary Thornton's men before the visit of high-flying Newcastle Thunder in Round 13.

Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Nixon, Sheridan, Sa’u, Boyd, Hansen, Dallimore, Barratt, Whitmore, Dayes, Wood, Kelly-Duffy, Syme. Bench: Paga, Roby, Metcalfe, Coleman.

Tries: Sheridan, Dayes, Flanagan

Goals: Flanagan (3)

Dewsbury Rams: C.McShane, Rayner, O’Connor, Senior, Delaney, Coates, Hookem, Nelmes, J. McShane, Collinson, Summers, Graham, Addy. Bench: Parkinson, Roberts, Tomlinson, Everett.

Tries: Collinson, Delaney (2), Rayner, C. McShane (2), O’Connor, J. McShane

Goals: Hookem (9)