Rochdale Hornets 26 Doncaster 18: Doncaster discover a sting in Hornets’ tail with late fightback

The visitors, having gone behind to an interception try in the third minute, dominated the first half, scoring three tries, all converted, and it might have been more.

But they conceded a try in the dying seconds to go into the break leading 18-8, an advantage which didn’t reflect their superiority.

Hornets knew they had got off lightly and in the second half ran in four tries without reply to secure an unlikely victory.

Doncaster started strongly but suffered an early setback when Dale Bloomfield intercepted Scott Spaven’s pass and raced 70 metres to score.

Spaven made amends when his well-timed pass sent Craig Robinson over from close range.

Five minutes later, Adam Scott shrugging off a weak tackle to score between the posts. And it came as no surprise when centre Chris Spurr pounced on Grant Edwards’ neat grubber to touch down. Spaven converted all three. With the half-time hooter imminent Hornets were given a lifeline, Bloomfield diving in out wide for his second.

After the break, Hornets needed to score first and they did, Steve Roper’s high kick tipped back by Wayne English, Andy Saywell on hand to score. Crook converted.

Hornets were rewarded when Crook whipped out a pass to Bloomfield, who in completing his hat-trick levelled the scores.

The home team went ahead when Roper was caught high by Mick Butterfield, Crook slotting over the simplest of kicks.

Then Crook launched another high ball, Chris Hough on the spot to gather a deflection by English and score. Crook converted.

Doncaster left the field to a standing ovation from their fans, recognising the efforts from their team this season.

Rochdale: English, Bloomfield, Gorton, Pyke, Saywell, Crook, Roper, Cookson, Hough, Merville, Ashall, Hobson, Middlehurst. Substitutes: Donoghue, Ekis, McDermott, Bowman.

Doncaster: Butterfield, Sanderson, Morrison, Spurr, Potts, Spaven, Fawcett, Scott, Emmett, Samson, Robinson, Edwards, C. Hughes. Substitutes: Keswik, Carbutt, Dee, Coady.

Referee: C Sharrad (RFL)