Hornets start with 56 point blast
Blowing off the cobwebs. Shaking off the rust. Trying permutations. Whichever phrase you use, friendlies never really give the true measure of a side. What they do is offer a series of clues that, when assembled Sherlock Holmes-like, give you a more detailed picture of what a team will be when it takes to the field in anger.
And yesterday's blow-out at Chorley threw up some very interesting clues indeed. Playing virtually two distinct teams, Martin Hall will have been surprisingly delighted with the performances of one or two of the 'fringe' players - Warren Ayres, Casey Mayberry and Wayne McHugh all impressed with their pace, astuteness and enthusiasm. But he will have been significantly more satisfied with new acquisitions Paul Smith, Richard Agar and Damian Ball. Smith has intimidating size and pace and his try, crashing onto a 30 yard pinpoint pass from Agar to glide in, was the highlight of the afternoon. Damian Ball showed that he's going to be a nifty handful too, marshalling the troops and playing a go-forward distribution game that should provide lots of opportunities for the three quarter line this season.
Other good points: A big game up-front from Wes Rogers, a nice steady return for David Larder, Marlon and Tommy Cooper pasting their opposite numbers. It's also great to see Richard Pachniuk back in a Hornets jersey. Whilst not in the firecracker mould of Darren Robinson, he gives us steadfast industriousness and a touch of mature class.
Hornets tries came from Smith (4, 24), Cooper (8), Billy (25), Larder (28) Gartland - a class performance all-round - (42, 59), Mayberry - from a peach of a short ball from Garty - (54), Miller (56) and McHugh (67, 74). Woody converted 5 and Warren Ayres 1.
As for Chorley, they look workmanlike, well drilled and have more pace in the backs than last season. However, the rotundity of props Prest and Argent could cost them dearly in the centre of the park against more mobile packs.
The attendance of 330 was made up primarily of Rochdalians blowing their own cobwebs off and their performance was adversely affected by the enforced absence of stalwart Andy Birch who is currently in hospital. Like Andy, Hornets will get better - and, as Martin Hall distils yesterday's clues into a first 17, the start of the season is a mouthwatering prospect.
Hornets: 1. Paul Owen 2. Sean Cooper 3. Brendan O'Meara 4. James Bunyan 5. Marlon Billy 6. Richard Agar 7. Latham Tawhai 8. Joe Berry 9. Richard Pachniuk 10. Wes Rogers 11. Dave Larder 12. Paul Smith 13. Danny Wood. Subs: Wayne McHugh, Marlon MIller, Steve Gartland, Andy Ireland, Neil Ramsden, Rob Hall, Ian Sinfield, Martin McLoughlin, Warren Ayres, Damien Ball, Casey Mayberry, Matt Long.