ROCHDALE HORNETS 32 SHEFFIELD EAGLES 18
CHARLIE BOYER, Crown Oil Arena, Sunday

SHEFFIELD winger Billy Walkley’s hat-trick of tries was in vain as Rochdale produced a bright second-half showing to claim a comeback victory and place in the 1895 Cup second round.

It was the Eagles who scored first after just five minutes as a floated kick out wide was contested by Dan Nixon and Walkley, who came out on top. Kai Morgan’s kick went over off a post – but it was to be his only goal from four attempts.

Walkley had his second try on nine minutes, when he produced a solo run from 40 metres out.

Hornets got themselves on the board on 18 minutes. A kick from Jamie Dallimore was caught by TJ Boyd, who gave the ball to Junior Sa’u, whose quick offload allowed Ethan Wood to finish the job from close range.

The deficit was cut to two points five minutes later. A sustained period of pressure paid off when Rochdale shifted the ball out to the left-hand side and Nixon stretched over to plant the ball down in the corner.

Rochdale thought they’d taken the lead when an error by Ryan Millar inside the in-goal area led to the ball coming loose, with Boyd pouncing on it, but he was denied due to a ball steal.

Walkley had his hat-trick ten minutes in to the second half after managing to get the ball down wide out for a 14-8 advantage.

But the gap was cut before the hour as Dylan Kelly-Duffy sliced through the Sheffield defence to go on a barnstorming run to the line. Max Flanagan goaled for the first time to level the tie.

Rochdale took the lead soon after when Harry Sheridan was quickest to react to a loose ball, with Flanagan adding the two from the tee.

The momentum was with the home side and Kelly-Duffy scored his second on 67 minutes. The secondrow rampaged through to score after a slick inside ball Nixon. Flanagan slotting the conversion.

The win was secured with ten minutes to go – and Kelly-Duffy was at the heart of things once more, his run setting the wheels in motion, with Jack Hansen on hand to finish and Flanagan adding two more points to his tally.

Sheffield had the last word with a diving finish from Millar, but it was too little, too late.

Rochdale were able to celebrate their first win this month, while for Sheffield, it’s three defeats in succession.

GAMESTAR: Junior Sa’u was at the heart of Rochdale’s attacking play and caused issues for the Sheffield defence throughout.

GAMEBREAKER: Dylan Kelly-Duffy’s second try helped put Hornets twelve points clear.

MATCHFACTS

HORNETS
1 Max Flanagan
22 TJ Boyd
26 Harry Sheridan
4 Junior Sa’u
2 Dan Nixon
6 Jamie Dallimore
25 Jack Hansen
23 Chris Barratt
9 Ross Whitmore
8 Jaden Dayes
12 Ethan Wood
17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy
13 Jordan Syme
Subs (all used)
19 Luke Waterworth
24 Ben Metcalfe
31 Jay Scriven
33 Isaac Coleman

Tries: Wood (18), Nixon (23), Kelly-Duffy (57, 67), Sheridan (63), Hansen (70)
Goals: Flanagan 4/6

EAGLES
2 Joe Brown
21 Ryan Millar
4 Kieran Gill
19 Will Oakes
5 Billy Walkley
18 Lennie Ellis
6 Kai Morgan
22 Masi Matongo
17 Harry Bowes
10 Martyn Reilly
23 Alex Foster
3 Josh Hodson
15 George Griffin
Subs (all used)
9 Corey Johnson
20 Lewis Peachey
24 Marcus Green
– Jimmy Beckett

Tries: Walkley (5, 9, 51), Millar (76)
Goals: Morgan 1/4

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 4-10, 8-10; 8-14, 14-14, 20-14, 26-14, 32-14, 32-18

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hornets: Junior Sa’u; Eagles: Billy Walkley

Penalty count: 5-4
Half-time: 8-10
Referee: Ryan Cox
Attendance: 245