The next game for the U21'S is at Hunslet (South Leeds Stadium) on Friday night kick off 7.30pm.
WIDNES U21’S 46 ROCHDALE HORNETS U21’S 16
This very competitive and entertaining game was ruined by Hornets poor defence in the last quarter in which they leaked 30 points in the last 15 minutes of the match. This was partly due to Widnes fitness levels giving them the edge in the closing stages of the game but was mainly due to some very poor defending by Hornets.
It was Hornets who were first to score on the night when Ash McGiffen scored the first of his brace of first half tries finishing off a flowing move scored in the corner Sneyd missed the conversion.
Guided around the field by Eric Johnson and Todd O’Brien Hornets dominated the first half but as on many occasions this season failed to capitalise on good field position with a mixture of poor decision making and sloppy handling.
A second McGiffen try and a penalty by Sneyd took Hornets into a 10-4 lead approaching half time but a knock on from Samuels directly from the kick off gave Widnes the chance to level the scores at the break which they duly took. 10 – 10 was the half time score.
Hornets were again first on the scoreboard in the second half as good early pressure lead to O’Brien scoring a great individual effort. The try was improved by Sneyd and Hornets were in control on the hour mark.
Neil Flanagan was forced due constantly re-shuffle the pack in the final quarter of the game due to injuries and fatigue which seemed to disrupt Hornets pattern of play. O’Brien and Samuels were forced off due to injury and Sherriffe is still struggling to find full fitness.
This signalled a last quarter onslaught by Widnes in which they crossed the line no less than six times this left the game with an unbalanced looking score line of 46-16. Widnes undoubtedly held the edge in fitness during the closing stages of the game but Hornets will be disappointed with some aspects of the final quarter notably weak defending in the middle of the field.
Dave Cunliffe was Hornets Man of the Match with an all action performance with Johnson, Charlesworth and Marshall equally impressive.
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