Rochdale (A) Match Report

Whitehaven left it late, but ultimately picked up 2 valuable points on the road to Rochdale.

Whitehaven celebrated Marc Shackley's 250th career appearance securing their fourth victory in a row and a first on the road at Spotland since July 2012 as a late Jack Kellett try secured the two points which almost secures an unlikely play-off place under the stewardship of James Newton as the victory saw a 7th victory in 9 games.

It was the perfect start for the Cumbrians as they scored the contest's opening 2 tries to be 12 points ahead after as many minutes with Rochdale also down to 12 men following the sin-binning of Junior Sa'u for dangerous contact in between the two touchdowns. The first score saw Ciaran Walker continue his push to be named Championship player of the year touching down for his 12th try of the season following up on his own kick which was spilled back into the hands of Walker by Hornets full back Max Flanagan to give the half back free reign to the try line, before adding the conversion.

Sa'u saw yellow minutes later for dangerous contact in an on ground collision with Ben Pearce in a tackle close to the touchline. The scuffle incensed the Haven bench before referee Carl Hughes penalised the experienced player and sat him down for 10 minutes. From the resulting set Haven got their second of the afternoon as Ethan Bickerdike span out of the attempted tackle and crossed the whitewash. Walker once again adding the extra two points on offer. The advantage was soon halved however as Haven failed to complete their next set and allowed the home side their first real opportunity and Max Flanagan took the chance to dive over the try line on the short side before stepping up and adding the extras to his own four pointer. The game started to settle down after the Hornets score into a regular back and forth rhythm.

It was just after the half hour mark when Haven re-established their 12 point advantage following Jay Weatherill's score on the back of some magical play from Ethan Bickerdike. A testing Ciaran Walker kick once again put Flanagan under pressure and the full back once more failed to deal with the kick. The ball fell into the hands of Bickerdike who found Weatherill with a perfectly placed offload around the back leaving Weatherill with nothing but green grass before crossing the try line. Walker remaining 100% with the boot.

The first half's scoring wasn't completed however as Hornets hit back with two tries of their own through substitute Lewis Hatton and Jamie Dallimore with the former Barrow Raider also celebrating his 250th career appearance. Hatton's try saw some tenacious running from the forward meaning he couldn't be stopped from short range on the end of back to back sets for the home side. Flanagan converting the score before Dallimore's score came seconds before the half time hooter. Flanagan surprisingly failed to add the extras to ensure the smallest of half time leads remained with the Cumbrians.

The second half was a much cagier affair as both sides knowing what was at stake as Rochdale searched for their first victory since June and Haven looking to secure their fourth in a row for the first time since 2021. The home side struck first in the second half to take the lead for the first time. Haven had three successive sets attacked the Hornets line before a wild pass saw a knock on from Jay Weatherill. The home side broke down the field from the resulting play and later in the set Chris Barratt strolled over with a Haven defence still struggling after the quick turnaround from attack to defence. Flanagan's conversion sailed through the posts leaving the home side with a narrow 4 point advantage.

And that was the way it stayed until the 7 minutes from time as on the back of unexpected 40/20 following TJ Boyd's attempted catch went right throughout the hands of the winger to give Haven the opportunity close to the Hornets line with a full set of 6. Jack Kellett scored his 4th of the campaign crashing over the try line underneath the sticks to the delight of those on the field and the travelling Haven contingent who were loud throughout. Walker's conversion saw Whitehaven restore their two point advantage. The home side couldn't find a clear opportunity to break the visitors down and as the hooter sounded Mark Ioane attempted to kick through the Haven defensive line but the kick failed to challenge the Haven side sparking jubilant celebrations.

MATCHFACTS

TEAMS

HORNETS

1 Max Flanagan

4 Junior Sa'u

3 Tom Ashton

11 Matty Unsworth

22 TJ Boyd

6 Jamie Dallimore

25 Jack Hansen

34 Mark Ioane

19 Luke Waterworth

23 Chris Barratt

12 Ethan Wood

13 Jordan Syme

9 Ross Whitmore

SUBS

10 Lewis Hatton

14 George Roby

18 Jordan Andrade

8 Jaden Dayes

Tries

Flanagan (15), Hatton (36), Dallimore (40), Barratt (52)

Goals

Flanagan 3/4

HAVEN

7 Jack Newbegin

31 Xenden Callander

2 Mitchell Todd

4 Ethan Bickerdike

5 Jay Weatherill

6 Ciaran Walker

13 Jack Kellett

16 Brad Brennan

9 Ellison Holgate

20 Marc Shackley

12 Rio McQuistan

23 Ben Pearce

27 Woody Walker

SUBS

32 Liam Williamson\

8 Jake Pearce

26 Cole Marsh

25 Alfie Sinclair

Tries

Walker (6), Bickerdike (10), Weatherill (31), Kellett (73)

Goals

Walker 4/4

Penalty Count: 3-3

Half time: 16-8
Referee: Carl Hughes

Photos credit: Brett Thurlow