ROCHDALE HORNETS 20 WORKINGTON TOWN 14
CHARLIE BOYER, Crown Oil Arena, Sunday

ROCHDALE had to come from behind to battle through against Workington and continue their unbeaten start to 2026.

It was the visitors who struck first after just four minutes as Mason Lewthwaite pounced on a perfect low kick to open the scoring.

Rochdale almost hit back just moments later, as Jamie Dallimore’s kick to the corner and a high tackle on Max Flanagan caused two repeat sets but the home side couldn’t make either pay.

Workington went close again just after the halfway mark but tenacious defence from the Hornets kept them at bay, before they gave away another penalty just inside their own half to gift Rochdale possession .

Workington added to their lead in somewhat controversial fashion ten minutes before the break, when Zarrin Galea looked to have knocked on while contesting a high kick before Brandon Leigh picked up the pieces to hack the ball towards the line to score.

Gary Thornton’s side did get on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time as TJ Boyd latched on to the end of an inch perfect kick from Dallimore to get his side on the board and reduce the deficit to four points.

Hornets came out of the blocks racing at the start of the second half, and were instantly on the front foot, creating several chances in the early stages.

Dallimore was in the thick of the action again just after the interval as he was awarded a penalty after being tripped inside the opposition half. 

From the resulting set, Junior Sa’u found his way over the line but couldn’t get the ball down as he was dragged into touch by a swarm of Town defenders.

The game started to become fragmented as errors started to creep in, but another outstanding kick, this time from Joe Hickey, was caught by Dan Nixon to level the scores just before the hour mark. Flanagan added the conversion and the momentum had shifted in his side’s favour.

Boyd grabbed his second of the afternoon soon after, breaking away from Alex Donaghy on the wing to dive home in the corner. Flanagan converted from a tough angle to increase the lead to eight points.

Hornets were hungry for more and sealed the deal with six minutes to go, Nixon again plucking the ball out of the air to get his second and surely securing the two points.

Jonty Gorley’s side did get a late consolation in the dying embers as Rio Corkill muscled his way over from close range, Jake Carter added the goal with the last kick of the game but it was too little, too late as the home side secured the win.

Workington’s search for a first league win continues, while Rochdale remain unbeaten in all competitions. 

GAMESTAR: Joe Hickey, the Hornets halfback, kicked well, set up some vital tries and controlled the game.

GAMEBREAKER: Dan Nixon’s try to draw level was the turning point, after which Rochdale began to dominate the game and didn’t let their opponents back in to it.

MATCHFACTS

HORNETS
1 Max Flanagan
22 TJ Boyd
3 Tom Ashton
4 Junior Sa’u
2 Dan Nixon
6 Jamie Dallimore
20 Joe Hickey
35 Isaac Reid
9 Ross Whitmore
17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy
12 Ethan Wood
24 Ben Metcalfe
13 Jordan Syme
Subs (all used)
10 Lewis Hatton
16 Jordan Andrade
18 Dan Lynch
19 Luke Waterworth

Tries: Boyd (39, 63), Nixon (59, 74)
Goals: Flanagan 2/4

TOWN
1 Zarrin Galea
2 Oscar Doran
3 Rio Corkill
4 Braden Leigh
5 Alex Donaghy
6 Jake Carter
7 Dom Wear
8 Ross Ainley
14 Callum Phillips
15 Callum Farrer
11 Mason Lewthwaite
26 Tuarae Rawhiti
12 Jake Bradley
Subs (all used)
22 Delaine Gittens-Bedward
17 Lucas Castle
24 Grant Reid
25 Bear Williams

Tries: Lewthwaite (4), Leigh (30), Corkill (79)
Goals: Carter 1/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-8, 4-8; 10-8, 16-8, 20-8, 20-14

Rugby Leaguer and League Express Men of the match:
Hornets: Joe Hickey; Town: Mason Lewthwaite

Penalty count: 9-5
Half-time: 4-8
Referee: Carl Hughes
Attendance: 693