RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets' sting in the tail

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets’ sting in the tail

11:00am Tuesday 30th July 2013 in Sport

 

Oxford’s JJ Baird on the run against Rochdale Hornets

A DEVASTATING second-half display from Rochdale Hornets saw Oxford blown away 54-12 at Spotland in on Sunday.

Only eight points separated the teams at half-time, but then Hornets produced some ruthless attacking rugby to score 34 unanswered points.

The home side, who moved up to fourth after this victory, took the lead after Oxford had conceded a couple of penalties, Danny Davies going over and Paul Crook adding the extras to make it 6-0.

Things got worse for the visitors when Crook gathered his own kick to score under the posts for a simple conversion.

Rochdale stretched their lead on 14 minutes after another penalty was conceded by Oxford, Crook opting to take the two points for a 14-0 lead.

Oxford got into the game on 26 minutes as John Clough found the gap to wriggle over. Jonny Leather added the extras.

They struck again moments later. A kick on the last play by Rochdale deep into the visitors’ half was picked up by JJ Baird, who sprinted clear to go in under the sticks. Leather added the conversion to cut the deficit to two points.

Leather missed a penalty chance before Rochdale extended their lead with a Davies try, converted by Crook, for a 20-12 half-time advantage.

Oxford’s problems started from the kick-off to the second half which went out on the full, giving the home side a chance to apply pressure.

Just when it seemed the visitors had weathered the storm, they conceded a penalty, which led to Rochdale scoring a try. Crook again converted to extend the lead to 26-12.

Rochdale were now on a roll and increased their advantage when Alex McClurg went over unopposed, after more good work by the forwards. Crook knocked over the conversion.

Another try soon followed. Oxford kicked deep into the home half on the last play and the ball was gathered by Martin Waring, who powered through the defence and completed a 90m run with a try under the sticks. Crook added the formalities. Oxford were by now unable to contain the Rochdale attack and Dave Hull was next to go over.

A converted John Cookson try increased the advantage to 48-12 and Hornets went past the 50-point mark with a Wayne English try which Crook converted for a final score of 54-12.

Jonny Morris and Iain Morrison made their debuts for Oxford, who travel to Hemel Stags this weekend in an crucial encounter as they look to get their play-off ambitions back on track.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets" sting in the tail