Blackpool Panthers 8  Rochdale Hornets  38

This was a game of what might have been. After the euphoric scenes after the last home game and the defeat of Barrow, expectations were high but all drifted away after only 90 seconds when Andy Sands, making his debut, was sent off for a high tackle, which in all fairness was high, but given that the game had only just kicked off, it was generally felt that a 10 minute sin-bin would have been fair. The at this point was over although the panthers made a great attempt to stem a tide that kept coming at them and so much so that Rochdale scored three of their seven tries in the last 12 minutes.

A Dave Cunliffe double had set the Hornets on their way for an 18 -4 half time lead, while referee Craig Halloran also brandishes yellow cards to Blackpool’s Damien Munroe and Rochdale’s Paul Rolls late in the first half. Indeed Panthers were down to eleven when Rochdale had a full compliment for a short period. It was not until the 19^th minute that Chris Giles crossed under the posts from a Paul Rolls pass.

Blackpool regrouped and enjoyed some possession in the Hornets half but some curious calls by referee Halloran prevented either side building momentum. Rochdale replacement Cunliffe extended the lead in the 31^st minute after Muir charged down a Blackpool kick on half way and Cunliffe crossed again from close range five minutes latet. Munroe was yellow carded in the 32^nd minute for dissent and Rolls followed shortly after for holding down, allowing Casey Mayberry to cross moments later. Munro returned and Johnny Leather took advantage of Rolls’ absence by bursting through five minutes after the restart to score a superb 60 metre try.

Rochdale then regained control in the 55^th minute with Leeroy Rivett streaking down the right from Sneyd’s offload and Ian Sinfield then sent Ainscough over in the left corner with 12 minutes remaining before Sneyd touched down on the opposite flank and Rolls strolled through the middle at the death.

Attendance: 453