Rochdale Hornets 64 - 12 Cornwall

Rochdale Hornets comprehensively beat Cornwall in the 1895 Cup on Saturday, running in 12 tries to set up a meeting with Swinton Lions in the next round.

The fixture, which took place at neighbours Rochdale Mayfield, saw Hornets pick up their first win of the season after a battling defeat against Championship side Widnes Vikings the week prior. 

Tom Ashton scored four tries against his former club, while there were also hat-tricks for Max Flanagan and Lameck Juma.

Hornets struck first after only three minutes through the impressive Flanagan. Luke Nelmes made good ground up the middle before the ball went through the hands on the last tackle to release Flanagan, who crossed down the right. 

Four minutes later, Hornets were in again. A flowing, passing move ended with Juma dancing his way around a shell-shocked Cornwall defence to score. Flanagan added the extras to make it 12-0.

With Lewis Else pulling the strings from half-back, Hornets struck again after 14 minutes. Dec O’Donnell slid a peach of a pass through for Deane Meadows to crash over. 

At the halfway point of the first half, try number four arrived as Juma scored his second of the game after some brilliant work from Ashton. The experienced outside back rampaged through the tackles before finding Juma on his left with a wonderful offload to score.

Flanagan helped himself to another a matter of minutes after the restart. Lewis Hollidge released an inch-perfect pass through to Flanagan to burst through the visitors’ defensive line to score. He converted his own try to extend the lead to 28 points.

Right on the half-time hooter, Ashton struck. He showed great strength to plough his way through a number of defenders to touch down, making it 32-0 at the break. 

Straight from kick-off in the second half, Ashton scored his second as he danced through the ailing Cornwall defence to score. 

Ashton completed his hat-trick as he powered over down the left side. 

Ashton continued with his fourth of the afternoon four minutes later, as he flew down the left side again to cross. 

Cornwall scored two tries in four minutes. Harry Aaronson struck first, intercepting an ambitious Hornets pass before racing 70m to score. 

This was quickly followed by Callum Abbott crossing after collecting a superb Adam Rusling kick. Both tries were converted, making it 46-12.

Hornets set about ending the game with a flourish with 10 minutes remaining. Juma helped with his hat-trick brought up the half-century with a cracking finish down the right.

Flanagan later got his hat-trick with a superb try, after Hornets displayed some champagne rugby league. 

With the last play of the game, Hornets added the cherry on top of a brilliant performance. Flanagan made a superb break from the back and found Gregg McNally in support to dive over and close out the afternoon in style. 

Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Juma, Flanagan, Ashton, Nixon, Hollidge, Else, Taira, O’Donnell, Nelmes, Meadows, Straugheir, Whittel.

Subs: Burton, Dayes, Baker, Brannan.

Tries: Flanagan 3, Ashton 4, Juma 3, McNally, Meadows

Goals: Flanagan 8/12

Cornwall: Llewelyn, Symons, Trerise, Aaronson, Abbott, Lloyd, Rusling, Boots, Leney, Rhodes, Weetman, Simpson, Jenkins.

Subs: Conroy, McConnell, Simpson, Cumming.

Tries: Aaronson, Abbott

Goals: Rusling 2/2