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HORNETS OFFER TICKET INCENTIVE FOR ROCHDALE AFC SEASON TICKET HOLDERS Rochdale Hornets have announced a ticket incentive for Rochdale AFC season ticket holders, after the football club’s 2022/23 league campaign came to an end last weekend. It has been confirmed that Dale season ticket holders will be able to attend the next six home Hornets league fixtures for just £10 until the restart of the National League season. The offer includes the Hornets’ mouth-watering local derby against Oldham, scheduled for Sunday 28 July. Dale came from behind to beat Southend 2-1 on the final day of the National League season, ensuring a top-half finish in their first campaign at that level. The Hornets will return home this Sunday to face Keighley Cougars, having secured back-to-back wins in Betfred League 1 against Newcastle Thunder and North Wales Crusaders - last season’s beaten play-off finalists. Gary Thornton’s side have won three and lost three of their opening six league games, leaving them fourth in the division. The new ticket incentive, announced following Dale’s season finale, will enable the football club’s supporters to enjoy more live sport at the Crown Oil Arena over the coming months and back the Hornets on the field, while supporting their own club with bar revenue during the football off-season. Discussing the £10 ticket offer, Rochdale Hornets general manager Matt Rigby said: “As a Dale season ticket holder myself, I’m delighted to be able to offer this deal to over 2,000 of my fellow football fans through the summer. “Being at Roots Hall in-person on Saturday was a remarkable day, and showed the true Rochdale spirit of togetherness culture that Jim McNulty has established within the supporters. “We have a real chance to make our two professional clubs in the town successful. “At the Hornets it has always been important for us to celebrate the year-round sporting action at the Crown Oil Arena, and we welcome new, existing & returning supporters with open arms.” Hornets home tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/tickets Supporters will need to present valid proof of their Rochdale AFC season ticket upon entry, or risk being refused admission. The Hornets are also preparing to host their first-ever Superhero Day for the visit of Cornwall on Sunday 5 May. Superhero Day is a new themed event for rugby league, and the Hornets will embrace the superhero world in and around the stadium leading up to the match, with plenty of initiatives for the whole family. Supporters are encouraged to embrace the day and get involved, with prizes to be awarded for the best fancy dress on display at the Crown Oil Arena. The Hornets will also be holding superhero-themed activities on the day of the game in their newly-launched kids area, Hooper’s Hive. Under 16s can take advantage of free admission to the Round 8 fixture, while adult tickets are priced at just £10. After the fixture itself, a Bingo Night and Play Your Cards Right, hosted by the All Hornets Supporters Association, will be held at the stadium. Join us on Sunday 5 May as we celebrate our Superhero Day against Cornwall - adult tickets cost £10, and kids go FREE!

BEN FORSTER: WE NEED TO BUILD ON NEWCASTLE WIN Rochdale Hornets forward Ben Forster insists last weekend's emphatic 68-4 victory over Newcastle Thunder will count for little if they fail to back it up at North Wales Crusaders this Sunday. The Hornets returned to winning ways and climbed to fifth in the table after running in 12 tries against Thunder at the Crown Oil Arena. Next up, they travel to Colwyn Bay to face a North Wales side that have won three of their opening four league games this season - the only defeat coming last time out away at unbeaten Keighley Cougars by a scoreline of 22-6. North Wales also reached the Betfred League 1 promotion play-off final last season, and Forster is wary of the difficultly facing them at Stadiwm CSM in Round 6. "We need to back up the performance against Newcastle and build on what we did last weekend," he said. "It's a tough place to go and they're going well. It's a massive game for us, and we need to get the win." Forster put in a Man of the Match display against Newcastle last time out as the Hornets ran riot to collect their first home league win of the 2024 campaign. Despite not adding his name to the scoresheet, the 23-year-old was delighted with the collective effort of his side's performance. "I think we needed that as a group," he added. "We've struggled for the last three weeks, so we had a big week in training [ahead of the Newcastle game] and ramped up the intensity. "I think it's my first one [Man of the Match] since being here too! It's always nice, but I didn't expect it. "I would've liked [to get a try], but setting them up is just as good for me - I always want to be a team player." Join us on Sunday 5 May as we celebrate our Superhero Day against Cornwall - adult tickets cost £10, and kids go FREE!

COUNTDOWN CONTINUES AHEAD OF HORNETS SUPERHERO DAY Rochdale Hornets will host their first-ever Superhero Day for the visit of Cornwall on Sunday 5 May. Superhero Day is a new themed event for rugby league, and the Hornets will embrace the superhero world in and around the stadium leading up to the match, with plenty of initiatives for the whole family. Supporters are encouraged to embrace the day and get involved, with prizes to be awarded for the best fancy dress on display at the Crown Oil Arena. The Hornets will also be holding superhero-themed activities on the day of the game in their newly-launched kids area, Hooper’s Hive. Under 16s can take advantage of free admission to the Round 8 fixture, while adult tickets are priced at just £10. After the fixture itself, a Bingo Night and Play Your Cards Right, hosted by All Hornets Supporters Association, will be held at the stadium. On the pitch the Hornets have started the season indifferently, with victories against Midlands Hurricanes and Newcastle Thunder to show from the opening five rounds of the season. Ahead of next month’s Superhero Day, they will visit Colwyn Bay to take on North Wales Crusaders this coming Sunday, April 21, before returning home with a game against Keighley Cougars to round off April’s fixtures. The Hornets’ Round 7 clash with the Cougars will allow the club to celebrate real-life superheroes as part of Blue Light Day, which returns for 2024 following successful engagement with representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service earlier this year. The club will be inviting representatives from the local emergency services to attend the game, as thanks for their continued efforts. Speaking ahead of the Hornets’ Superhero Day, general manager Matt Rigby said: “Superhero Day isn't just about capes and masks; it's about embracing the heroic spirit within all of us. “We're thrilled to pioneer this ground-breaking event in the sport, where fans of all ages can unleash their inner superhero. From thrilling competitions to interactive exhibits, Superhero Day is more than just a game; it's a rallying cry for our community to come together, celebrate their strength and make a positive impact. “We believe in the power of sport to unite and inspire, and Superhero Day is our way of engaging with the community on a whole new level, like never before. “Keep your eyes peeled on social media for some very exciting announcements from Premier Kia and the Hornets Sporting Foundation.” Tickets for Rochdale Hornets' Superhero Day clash with Cornwall on Sunday 5 May can be purchased by visiting: https://www.hornetsrugbyleague...

GARY THORNTON PLEASED WITH PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY AGAINST NEWCASTLE THUNDER Rochdale Hornets head coach Gary Thornton has praised his players for the level of performance they produced throughout Sunday's 68-4 victory at home to Newcastle Thunder. The Hornets returned to winning ways and climbed to fifth in the table after running in 12 tries at the Crown Oil Arena. Ben Blackmore, featuring as part of the club's dual-registration agreement with Bradford Bulls, found himself on the scoresheet while half-back Lewis Else also marked his return from injury with a hat-trick. Reflecting on the Hornets' display post-match, Thornton was pleased to see a smarter all-round display from his players after the disappointment of their Round 4 loss at Workington Town. "I'm delighted with the win, but more so with the performance," he said. "We've not been great in the last few weeks and I was a bit disappointed up in Workington, but defensively [today] we were solid, our line speed was good and we scored some nice tries off the back of it. "It was a good 80-minute performance which I have been asking for for a while, and it gets us back on track a little bit." Else was one of a number of fresh faces who Thornton was able to call upon, with half-back partner Martyn Ridyard also returning from an injury which has kept him out since Round 1. There was fresh impetus in the pack too, with Liam Bent making his Hornets debut after signing on a four-week loan from Widnes Vikings ahead of the game. "I don't like making excuses, but it has been difficult. Without the spine of the team there, it's been a tough period for us," the Hornets boss added. "Today you could see the difference that having two half-backs makes to a team - especially two as good as Riddy and Elsey. "They were very good today - Riddy with his control of the game and carrying out the game plan, and then Elsey with his explosive pace. "It gave everybody a lift really. It's good to have them back and get them through the game injury-free." The Hornets will now look to curb successive defeats on the road when they travel to North Wales Crusaders next Sunday. Tickets for the Round 6 clash at Stadiwm CSM can be bought here.

I think Oldham and Keighley are away over the hills this year, different levels of spend and quality. Outside of those two I've seen nothing a near fully fit and firing Hornets cant beat and think the 3rd and 4th spots are attainable this year with a bit better luck and a decent run of form. Big game in Wales now Sunday. Tough place to go and wont be easy, but hopefully Hornets can build on yesterdays performance with some key players back.

HORNETS SIGN WIDNES VIKINGS FORWARD ON LOAN Rochdale Hornets have brought in Widnes Vikings utility forward Liam Bent on an initial four-week loan. Bent, who is currently in his third season with the Vikings, has been brought in to bolster the Hornets pack and goes straight into contention to face Newcastle Thunder this Sunday. The 26-year-old spent time in Salford’s academy earlier in his career before going on to join North Wales Crusaders and Oldham on loan. Bent would go on to secure a permanent move to Oldham and made just short of 100 appearances for the Roughyeds over a five-season spell, helping the club secure promotion to the Betfred Championship in 2019. He joined the Vikings ahead of the 2022 season and has made 28 appearances for the club to date. However, just one of Bent’s three appearances in 2024 has been from the start - that match being a 50-16 victory over Doncaster in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup in February. The tough-tackling forward, who is capable of operating at loose forward or second-row, will now make the move to the Crown Oil Arena to boost his game time. He becomes the second Vikings player to link up with the Hornets on a short-term basis, following in the footsteps of outside back Lloyd Roby who joined last week on a four-week loan. Rochdale Hornets chairman Andy Mazey said: “With the Injury situation, suspensions and some inconsistencies in certain aspects, Gary was keen to address a few things and get another forward through the door. “Benty is an athletic, hard-working and experienced Championship forward who gives 100% in everything he does, and his performances are always consistent. “I’m once again grateful to Allan Coleman and Chris Hamilton over at Widnes for allowing another valuable squad member to join up with us on loan.”