Rochdale 0
Cougars 10

Hutch and James H tries.

Thanks. South wales 18-0 up v swinton

4-10

10-10

16-10 JD Just bust through half the Hornets defence.

20-10 another cracker from James H

26-10 James H hat trick.

26-16

32-16 Shickell

38-22 Pursglove

38-26

40-32

First of all I have to say what a cracking game. Credit has to go to both sides for some superb flowing attacking rugby.

Man of the Match for me today, James Haythornthwaite. Scored 3 belting tries although I think he drops a little too deep in defence leaving us vulnerable to chips over the top of the line. He was carried off injured after scoring his third, I hope he's not badly hurt.

Andy Shickell had a cracking game, the Rochdale pack were having real trouble stopping him.

JD was class, at the hub of everything and how many times do you see a stand off go on a 50m bulldozing run breaking tackle after tackle to score a try.

A little concerned about the defence though. Rochdale bombed quite a few chances they should have scored from and broke our line frequently.

I am not too bothered about defence too much as long as we score more. You have to remember they put 40 odd points past Haven so clearly as proved today their attacking prowess. I had radio on at work and after games had finished Jamie Bloem said cougars would struggle this year due to lack of money and a young squad. Out of frustration I sent text to show inviting Mr Bloem to come to cougar park at end of season to apologise and eat humble pie.

Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=74IZxR2iTxc

Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=74IZxR2iTxc

Not quite sure about that philosphy. Whilst that may be attractive to the suppoter it is defence that plays a big part in winning games. A strong and resolute defence frustrates the opposition into making mistakes.

I am concerned with the number of points conceded today, but having said that Rochdale are a good side and shouldn't be underestimated. I think we've been good in defence all year (barring the Haven game) and know JD prides himself on his defence.

Very exciting game, end to end stuff with the result never really certain although I thought we were the better team. A very enjoyable away day.

Both sides will need to tighten their defence if they want success but I have to say there were some strange decisions by the officials against both sides.

It was very noticable how they tried to draw us into the middle then ran a 4 against 2 attack at our right side.

Looking forward to Monday, it has potential to be a cracker.

ref had an absolute shocker IMO.

thought most of the tries conceded were soft (late one in the first half was good). defence needs to tighten up to what it was early season if we're not to be be humiliated by Warrington

hoping Haythornethwaite isn't out for long.

great game. good ground. great pies

I think Rochdale have improved a lot since we played them in NRC at CP.
They drew us in to the centre and exploited the gap no the wing very well.
Their kick and chase was very good and caught us off guard more than once.

What they couldn't match was our forwards and this allowed space for Luke Halliwell to show he is a sound half back. How many times has Luke got the ball back for us recently?

Did anybody notice how the game was being played in fast forward speed when Ryan Smith came on. He Luke and James Hay* all seemed to find a big speed increase at the same time that cut Rochdale up. Wish we had 80 minutes of that speed.

The referee is the usual suspect every week win, lose or draw it seems. Personally, I thought the ref and his T.J.s had decent games, he didn't give things to one and not the other, he let the game flow and I thought that the better team won fair and square. There wasn't much in it at the end but we came up short because of our own shiortcomings nothing to do with decisions by the ref. Indeed, there hasn't been a game this season that the referee has been the difference between winning and losing.

I think your team will be up there at the end of the season, but does it matter with the franchises coming in it would seem the play-offs are redundant.

Pugwash.

it did flow but some offsides were a joke and there were some very strange decisions - the most bizarre was not playing advantage to Hornets after a knock on and then giving them the scrum. i think it was Ashall who would have been away. lucky for us he wasn't.

i see from the Hornet's web site that Cougars "edged it". hmmm.

felt like 40% Cougar fans - what was the attendance?

515

I thought Ryan Smith had a good game - did he actually come on as replacement hooker? Would be interesting to see him in the team in that position for Monday.

I suppose that it all depends on 'what colour glasses' you wear:

This is the summary referred to on the Hornets website:



A strange report when you consider the quality of some of our tries and the fact that Hornets were only level at the start (0-0) and half-way through the first half (10-10).

OK, the ref wasn't all that great and forward passes on both sides, from which tries were scored, were missed but when a win is 'ground-out' it is usually a dire affair.

Roll-on next Monday and let's hope that regular lady supporters, who normally pay at the gate, will show their support and donate their usual entry fee to the club

It looks like you are right.
Shame really, as it will lead to the end of the lower league game.