Sheffield Eagles maintain momentum with 20-44 victory in Rochdale

Craig Lingard made a few noticeable changes in the Eagles' lineup from last week’s win against Hunslet, with Kieran Gill, Billy Walkley, and Connor Fitzsimmons all being rested and replaced by Lewis Peachey, Lennie Ellis, and Ryan Millar.

Rochdale succumbed to a 20-0 away loss against Whitehaven at the weekend prior, but were looking to change their circumstances back on their home turf.

Four minutes into the first half, it was the hosts who opened the scoring, after a loose ball near the Eagles' try line ended up in Dan Nixon’s hands.

Nine minutes of close encounters with the tryline followed for the Eagles until some quick hands down the offensive line put Ryan Millar straight through for a chance to even the score.

A crashing run at the tryline by Masi Matongo pushed the visiting South Yorkshire side ahead in the 18th minute, before Matty Marsh extended their lead further in quick succession.

Not content with just the one try, Marsh followed up once again with another, after a convincing dummy opened up space for him to burst across the tryline.

Jack Bussey then gave his Eagles’ side an even bigger advantage, barrelling over the line in the last minute before half-time.

Much like the first half, the second started with Rochdale scoring first as Max Flanagan stepped his way through a weakened Sheffield defence.

But the visitors replied quickly, and Joe Brown provided a pacy rush down the wing and a try in the corner.

The Hornets were not backing down just yet, and they found themselves scoring once more when Jack Hansen provided a kick down by the Eagles’ corner, then chased and grounded the ball himself.

With the score inching back closer for the hosts, the Eagles had to put themselves back on the scoresheet, which they succeeded in doing when Blake Broadbent powered through a gaping Rochdale line.

Sloppy defence on the Eagles’ right wing allows the Hornets back through for another responsive try in the 66th minute.

But it proved to be too little too late, as after a couple of very close efforts from either side, an Alex Foster try in the closing minutes of the fixture had the Eagles finishing with a comfortable lead.

Sheffield Eagles are back in action next Sunday, in their away 1895 Cup fixture against Swinton Lions (3 pm KO).

Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Nixon, Sa’u, Ashton, Boyd, Hansen, Dallimore, McKler, Waterworth, Hatton, Wood, Taylor, Syme

Interchanges (all used): Dates, Whitmore, Kelly-Duffy, Reid

18th Man: Metcalfe

Tries: Nixon (4’), Flanagan (47’), Hansen (58’), Boyd (66’)

Goals: Flanagan (2/4)

Sheffield Eagles: Marsh, Brown, Foster, Hodson, Millar, Morgan, Lilley, Matongo, Bowes, Reilly, Bower, Farrell, Griffin

Interchanges (all used): Johnson, Bussey, Broadbent, Peachey

18th Man: Ellis

Tries: Millar (13’), Matongo (18’), Marsh (23’,29’), Bussey (38’), Brown (53’), Broadbent (62’), Foster (79’)

Goals: Lilley (6/8)

Referee: K. Moore